Qatar WC organisers shocked by work conditions

Protesters hold a demonstration against the bad conditions of workers in Qatar the venue for the 2002 World Cup

The organizers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar have stated that they are “appalled” by the outcome of an investigation which looked into the treatment of foreign workers in the nation. BBC Sport reports.

An expose by The Guardian revealed that Nepalese laborers in the country “face exploitation and abuses that amount to modern-day slavery”.

FIFA has stated that it is “very concerned” while the tournament organizers have promised that they will look into the matter.

A Qatari statement read: “There is no excuse for any worker in Qatar to be treated in this manner.”

The statement issued by the World Cup organisers saying: “The health, safety, well-being and dignity of every worker that contributes to staging the 2022 Fifa World Cup is of the utmost importance to our committee and we are committed to ensuring that the event serves as a catalyst toward creating sustainable improvements to the lives of all workers in Qatar.”

Qatari officials insist that the work place is health friendly and that no grievances will be encountered by those who are helping build the World Cup venue.

The statement added: “We firmly believe that all workers engaged on our projects, and those of the other infrastructure developers in Qatar, have a right to be treated in a manner that ensures at all times their wellbeing, safety, security, and dignity.

“This is our top priority as we begin to deliver on the promises made in our bid to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.”

Hassan Al Thawadi Chief Executive of Qatar 2022 had been interviewed by BBC Radio 5 live before The Guardian’s expose, he said: “Our priority when it comes to the workers is to ensure the safety, security, dignity and health of each worker is catered for and taken care of.”

Thawadi had stated that the work on the World Cup venue was yet to commence but when it did it would have to go by a “workers charter”.

“We’ve shared these workers’ standards and our workers’ strategy with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International and we are in open discussions with them as well,” he added.

The 2022 World Cup has already come under fire due to the intense heat in summer having a bad reaction on the football players.

A statement issued by FIFA said that they “will again get in contact with the Qatari authorities”.

The topic will come under discussion in Zurich on 3-4 October when the FIFA executive committee will gather to discuss a potential winter World Cup in 2022.