Qatar Accused Of Killing Nearly 1000 Workers In Preparation For World Cup Games

It appears that the 2022 World Cup will come with its own stadium . . . and attached cemetery. Qatar was delighted to be selected for the games and has been pulling out all of the stops on construction. Part of that effort appears to be tossing aside workplace safety concerns. Over 900 workers have died in the various construction projects. To give a point of reference, only six workers died during the construction for the 2014 World Cup preparation in Brazil (and 25 died before the Sochi Olympic games this summer). Advocates fear that, unless something is done, thousands more will die before the first ball is kicked in the first game.

The number may be much higher. One report detailed how 400 Nepalese workers died on the site and, between 2010 and 2012, more than 700 Indian workers have died.

Qatar has an appalling record and reputation for worker abuse. Companies are allowed to hold the pay of these impoverished workers as well as holding their passports to prevent them from leaving. These men then work in 122 F hear and are often denied free water. They have been found to be living in squalor in overcrowded and unclean housing. Many have claimed to have been ripped off in the end by Qatar companies that refuse to pay them. With 1.2 million such migrant workers in the country, those conditions threaten an even greater death toll. A report by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) warned that 4,000 migrant workers could die at this rate unless something changes.

Source: Smithsonian