More Than 900 Workers Have Already Died Building Qatar’s World Cup Infrastructure

[demmiblue]

Source: Smithsonian

In 2022, Qatar will host the World Cup. The host city has already made some waves with its stadium shaped like a certain body part. But what you might not know is that, since 2012, about 900 workers have died while working on infrastructure in Qatar, in a building boom anticipating the World Cup.*

Last month, the Guardian reported that over 400 Nepalese migrant workers had already died at building sites. Between 2010 and 2012 more than 700 workers from India lost their lives working on construction sites in Qatar, too. A report by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) says that if conditions don’t get any better, by the time the World Cup kicks off, at least 4,000 migrant workers will have died on the job.

For comparison, 25 construction workers died during the preparations for Sochi. Only six workers have died during construction for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil that starts this summer. Only eleven men died during the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in the 1930s. By all measures, the death count in Qatar is extreme.

Robert Booth at the Guardian explains why Qatar is so unusual:

Workers described forced labour in 50C (122F) heat, employers who retain salaries for several months and passports making it impossible for them to leave and being denied free drinking water. The investigation found sickness is endemic among workers living in overcrowded and insanitary conditions and hunger has been reported. Thirty Nepalese construction workers took refuge in the their country's embassy and subsequently left the country, after they claimed they received no pay.

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/over-900-workers-have-already-died-building-qatars-world-cup-facilities-180950088/?no-ist

I have no clue as to how and why Qatar was chosen to host the World Cup. Modern day slavery, indeed.

[PersonNumber503602]

1. That's ridiculous. FIFA really should be doing something to pressure Qatar to fix this

Actually, they should just move it somewhere else. This can't be fixed.

[demmiblue]

2. I realized after I posted that the article was from 2014, but it seems not much has changed:

Qatar refuses to let Nepalese workers return to attend funerals after quake

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/24/qatar-denies-nepalese-world-cup-workers-leave-after-earthquakes

Qatar still failing migrant workers, says Amnesty International

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/21/qatar-failing-migrant-workers-amnesty-international

And there is this: Arrested for reporting on Qatar's World Cup labourers

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141096347

I agree with you, Qatar should be made an example of... FIFA should denounce this human rights travesty and move it elsewhere.

[PersonNumber503602]

4. Yeah, I'm reading more about it now...

Even corporate sponsors are telling FIFA to do something. The whole thing seems like a mess anyway. Poorly thought out plans, bribery, and slavery.

[Initech]

15. You know how corrupt FIFA is? You really expect them to do anything about it?

[PersonNumber503602]

18. I actually did not know that.

I fit into the category of people who know it as "that soccer video game I have."

[dembotoz]

3. obvious question what was the cup fed thinking. but we know... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[malaise]

5. Did you read the Guardian article?

The Qatar government refused to allow Nepalese workers to return home for funerals or to see relatives who are victims of the earthquake. Until we boycott FIFA this will continue.

[demmiblue]

6. Yep, I read it (and linked to it in post #2).

Migrant workers also often have their passports confiscated, may go for several months without pay, and have limited insurance against accidents. Shades of Dubai.

[malaise]

7. FIFA is responsible for this mess

All they want is money

[yeoman6987]

8. For the most part Americans already boycott FIFA

Overall our soccer popularity is pretty low compared to other sports. I think Europe is the population that could really make a loud statement. I think America could express outrage but Europe could force change.

[SwissTony]

9. FIFA are a corrupt bunch of bastards.

I'll let Mr Oliver express his opinions

[demmiblue]

10. Wow, I had no idea!

Thanks for the video. Truly appalling.

[tblue37]

11. Their math is off: 400. + 700 is 1100. Yes, that is "more than 900," but it's

so much more that to call it more than 900 is to minimize the loss of life.

[Art_from_Ark]

13. You should read it again

"since 2012, about 900 workers have died while working on infrastructure in Qatar..."

"Between 2010 and 2012 , more than 700 workers from India lost their lives working on construction sites in Qatar..."

[tblue37]

14. Oops! You're right. I read it too fast. Still, highlighting the lower number from more recent

years rather than the much higher number does minimize the number of deaths, especially since most people don't read (not even quickly and carelessly, as I did) past headlines and blurbs.

[leeroysphitz]

12. These things happen...

[ileus]

16. World Cup...that's soccer? Right?

[SwissTony]

19. In this case, yes.

Other sports also have world cups...Rugby League last year, rugby union this year, cricket this year (already done).

If you're really interested, the korfball WC will be held in Belgium this year.

[iandhr]

17. The reason that Qatar was chosen to host the world up is

.... bribery.