Qatar 2022 Responds to Labor Allegations

(ATR) The Supreme Committee of the Qatar 2022 World Cup says they have "worked tirelessly" to address claims of labor violations.

British newspaper The Guardian released a report where workers say that contractor Amana withholds their passports and pays them $0.76 an hour for overtime. Amana owns the contract for construction on the al-Wakrah stadium.

After the report, the Supreme Committee launched an audit into the practices claimed.

"Since we first bid to host the FIFA World Cup, we have worked tirelessly to ensure and improve the welfare of workers on 2022 FIFA World Cup projects and to be a catalyst for sustainable social progress," the Supreme Committee said in a statement responding to the allegations.

Qatar 2022 says that workers are paid monthly via electronic transfer and that Amana received its contract with Qatar 2022 before recent labor laws were put into practice.

Under old regulations, employers could hand over their passports with consent to employer for safekeeping. New regulations added in the Workers’ Welfare Standards prohibit employers from confiscating passports.

"It is important to note that Amana was contracted to provide services prior to the introduction of our current standards.Amana has worked proactively to upgrade and ensure that its standards meet the SC’s stringent requirements."

The committee also responded to claims of workers not being paid for over a year for construction of the Al Bidda skyscraper through company Lee Trading.

"As previously stated, Lee Trading was never commissioned by, nor ever worked for the Supreme Committee on any of its projects."

Qatar 2022’s offices are located in the Al Bidda tower on the 11th floor.

"We were heavily dismayed to learn of the behavior of Lee Trading with regard to the timely payment of its workers. When Amnesty International initially raised these issues, we immediately relayed these concerns to the relevant authorities."

Written by Aaron Bauer

Homepage photo: Getty Images

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