A specialized site claims that a Filipino worker fell to his death on a construction, and that he was deprived of a harness. FIFA and the Supreme Organizing Committee for the FIFA World Cup have decided to open an investigation. “If the investigation concludes that the security protocols were not respected, the company exposes itself to legal proceedings and heavy financial penalties,” the government said in a statement.
According to The Athletic, the victim is a Filipino in his 40s who fell from a forklift while repairing lights in a parking lot. Multiple sources said he was not wearing a safety harness. “The Philippine embassy in Doha is still investigating this case,” the Philippine foreign ministry told AFP, saying it was unable to provide further details immediately.
350 million dollars already paid
In a statement, FIFA said it was “deeply saddened by this tragedy”. “We have contacted local authorities to request further details,” the organization added in a statement. In Doha, the Supreme Organizing Committee of the World Cup assured in a press release that it did not employ the worker in question, and that the accident had occurred “on a property not under its jurisdiction”.
However, he said he was following the case “with the competent authorities” and being in “contact with the family” of the victim. Qatar has a compensation mechanism for work injuries and unpaid wages, which has paid out more than $350 million so far, according to authorities.
From 414 to several thousand dead
Since being awarded the organization of the 2022 World Cup in December 2010, the small Gulf emirate has come under fire from criticism regarding the working and living conditions of its hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from Asia. and from Africa.
In response, Doha is promoting unprecedented reforms of the labor code, welcomed by trade unions, which nevertheless call for more rigorous application. The figure for the total number of deaths in work accidents during the preparations for the World Cup varies according to the sources, ranging from 414 deaths between 2014 and 2020, according to Qatar, to several thousand since 2010, according to NGOs.