The assessment of the human rights situation in Qatar ahead of the upcoming football World Cup in the emirate (November 21 to December 18) is also divided among the critics.
Only shortly after the renewed allegations by Amnesty International against the Qatari rulers of “serious human rights violations” did the global building trade union federation BWI attest the Gulf state to persistent deficiencies in several areas at least “Meanwhile Western European standard in occupational health and safety”.
No unannounced inspections by the BWI
German BWI Vice President Dietmar Schäfers based his assessment in a statement from his Panama-based organization on first-hand information. “The guest workers report that their situation has improved significantly. This applies to occupational safety, but also to the food supply, the payment and the standards of accommodation.”said Schaefers.
Schäfers attributed the statements about progress to controls by the BWI that have been taking place since 2017 with the Supreme Committee responsible for organizing the World Cup. “Football is getting things rolling in the Gulf in terms of occupational health and safety and payment.”summed up Schäfers.
How independently these assessments were made, however, remains questionable: an agreement was reached between the building trade union federation and the World Cup organizers – it is unclear whether and how much money will flow from it. At least officials admitted that none of the BWI inspections of Qatari construction sites were carried out unannounced.