FIFA Being Asked to Pay Migrant Workers $440M For World Cup Abuses

A coalition of human rights organizations led by Amnesty International are reportedly demanding that FIFA provide at least $440 million to migrant workers who helped with the 2022 men’s World Cup infrastructure.

The sum is based on the prize pool FIFA plans to award successful teams during this winter’s tournament.

“Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers have not received adequate remedy, including financial compensation, for serious labour abuses they suffered,” read a letter sent to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Secretary General of Amnesty International Agnes Callamard reportedly said that accepting the plan “could represent a major turning point in FIFA’s commitment to respect human rights.”

• Amnesty International said workers have endured ridiculously long hours and dangerous working conditions.
• Those abuses are “widespread,” according to the group.
• The letter claims that in the last decade or so, Qatari officials “failed to investigate” how thousands of workers perished.
• The letter blames negligence on a sponsorship system that allowed for “unscrupulous employers.”

Next Steps

Both FIFA and Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy are considering the proposal, according to a statement provided to CNN. FIFA also pointed to previous reforms that have been made.

Qatar’s Ministry of Labor, however, reportedly said it “undermines much of the goodwill that has been generated.”