Editorial
Death and Servitude in Qatar
Published: November 1, 2013
FIFA, international soccer's governing body, has been dogged by criticism ever since it chose Qatar to hold the World Cup in 2022. The most persistent criticism has focused on the appalling conditions facing migrant workers brought into Qatar to build new facilities; at least 44 Nepalese workers died this summer. After a recent report in the Guardian documenting the government's failure to address the problem, the organizers of the event, the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, agreed to investigate. The committee needs to act swiftly before more workers die.
The World Cup, held every four years, is the world's largest sporting event. Qatar has been using its oil wealth to transform itself into a global cultural capital and to increase its influence. Holding the 2022 World Cup is part of this effort. But Qatar's riches cannot buy it the world's respect if it continues to allow migrant workers to be treated as expendable modern-day slaves.
Far too many of the estimated 1.2 million migrant workers in Qatar live in crowded, unsanitary conditions. Much of the blame rests with foreign middlemen and recruiters, who prey on the desperation of people in countries like Nepal. Workers are reduced to indentured servitude and are forced to work long hours in extreme temperatures. An alarming number of otherwise healthy young men from Nepal and India have died of heart attacks. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, malnutrition and untreated illness are blamed for other deaths. While rules exist requiring the fair treatment of migrant workers, they are casually enforced.
Human Rights Watch reported last year on widespread violations of international labor law and human rights. The report said that one major part of the problem was the kafala system of sponsorship, in which migrant workers become the virtual property of their employers, forbidden from changing jobs or leaving the country without their sponsor's permission. This system needs to be reformed or eliminated to bring Qatar into compliance with international standards. Having selected Qatar, FIFA cannot be allowed to dodge its responsibility in making sure that the workers building the 2022 World Cup stadium are treated fairly.
Some of the largest construction companies in the world will reap huge profits building Qatar's World Cup infrastructure. They must do better than pay lip service to ensuring decent working conditions for migrant labor.
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