Amnesty International reports that FIFA did not officially provide compensation packages to migrant workers in Qatar. FIFA reportedly did not officially execute compensation packages for migrant workers in Qatar. Instead, the sport’s governing body has sat on his hands. Previously, FIFA announced that it is “open” to the idea of compensating these workers or their families.
Earlier this month, FIFA Assistant Secretary General Alasdair Bell made the claim.
“It’s important to try to see that anyone who has suffered an injury as a result of working at the World Cup gets it fixed in some way,” Bell continued.
However, apparently the wheels are not yet in motion on the situation. The World Cup in Qatar starts in just one month.
In addition, Amnesty International reports that it has previously contacted the 32 football associations that will compete in the upcoming tournament. So far, seven of these countries have publicly joined the organization’s calls for migrant workers’ compensation. One of the seven is the United States Soccer Federation.
US Soccer demands compensation for migrant workers
Under pressure from the groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, US Soccer supported compensation for migrant workers last month. In a statement delivered to The Athletic, the organization publicly announced its intention to join the support for refunds.
“US Soccer has had discussions with Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other organizations on this important issue,” the statement read. “We have also been in communication with UEFA to join their support for financial compensation for workers. We have been working diligently behind the scenes to finalize our plans and will be ready to share them soon.”
It’s not just soccer organizations that have joined the fight for migrant workers’ compensation, either. Corporate sponsors have also raised concerns about the issue. AB InBev (Budweiser), Adidas, Coca-Cola and McDonald’s have publicly agreed to this compensation.
Human Rights Watch deputy director for the Middle East/North Africa, Michael Page, criticized FIFA’s lack of action on the issue. “It is shameful that, despite the support of the #PayUpFIFA campaign by leading footballers, football associations and sponsors and widespread popular support, FIFA has still not committed to calling for a reparation fund for the many thousands of migrant workers who died, resulting injured or lost wages. stolen while making the World Cup possible,” Page proclaimed.
We have reached out to US Soccer for additional comment but have not yet heard back.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Joerg Boethling
