Coupe du Monde de la FIFA, Qatar 2022 : Pas d’héritage sans droits syndicaux
Geneva, 15 March 2023. On the eve of FIFA 73rd Congress in Rwanda, the Global Union Federations express deep concerns about a tangible and lasting decent work legacy in Qatar. The Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup left town last December without further progress on human rights, leaving behind a deteriorating environment for migrant workers. The Global Union Federations ask for the respect, realisation and promotion of the fundamental principles and rights at work, especially freedom of association, the right to organise and the right to collective bargaining. They urge the government of Qatar to ratify without delay fundamental ILO Conventions 87 and 98.
As a result of many years of concrete engagement on the ground, concessions won by the international trade union movement related to forced labour brought important advancement in the protection of migrant workers' human rights. However, reports on the ground reveal continuing breaches of the new labour legislation and abuses by unscrupulous employers. Cooperation and dialogue with some Global UnionFederations has come to an abrupt halt, suggesting a deteriorating environment for workers and their advocates threatening the sustainability of past improvements. Worker rights advocates need to be able to operate in full freedom free from harassment and without the threat of retaliation. Therefore, the Global Union Federations signatories to the Statement demand no further delay in progressing on the fundamental rights of workers to associate and bargain collectively, as the key to ensure workers can collectively defend their rights and interests.
« À de nombreuses reprises, la FIFA a reconnu sur le papier ses responsabilités et ses engagements en matière de droits humains en faveur d’un héritage pour le travail décent de la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2022 au Qatar. À ce jour, ni le gouvernement qatari ni la FIFA ne tiennent leurs nobles promesses. Il est temps que les abus passés contre les travailleurs soient reconnus et corrigés, et que les droits humains des travailleurs à s’associer et à négocier soient enfin reconnus, afin que ceux qui restent au Qatar puissent participer collectivement à la construction de leur avenir et compenser les abus. a déclaré Ambet Yuson, secrétaire général de l’IBB.