Al Thawadi emphasises Qatar 2022 contractors will respect workers' rights

Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi has insisted the organising committee for the FIFA World Cup will ensure contractors adhere to international labour laws for workers on construction projects for the tournament.

Thawadi's comments came after FIFA last year pledged to help improve the rights of migrant workers building stadia for Qatar's World Cup in the wake of threats from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) to disrupt construction plans. As part of its bid to host the World Cup, Qatar pledged to build nine new stadia and refurbish three others, all in the space of 10 years and at a cost of US$4 billion.

This work, along with other infrastructure development, is set to see the Gulf state undergo rapid change. However, concerns have been expressed about working conditions for migrants, which the ITUC described as "inhuman" last year.

Reuters reported Thawadi as stating "major sporting events shed a spotlight on conditions in countries.

"There are labour issues here in the country, but Qatar is committed to reform," Al Thawadi said. "We will require that contractors impose a clause to ensure that international labour standards are met. Sport, and football in particular, is a very powerful force. Certainly we can use it for the benefit of the region."

Meanwhile, Thawadi added that a management contract for 2022 construction projects will be awarded in the first quarter of this year. The award of the contract had originally been expected late last year. The agreement will ensure co-ordination with government agencies on large infrastructure projects.

Last year an international coalition of artists pledged to snub the Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi over construction worker conditions.

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