The French federation has positioned itself on the long-awaited file of workers who are victims of accidents during work for the World Cup in Qatar.
In the midst of a controversy over the boycott of certain cities regarding the installation of giant screens for the World Cup (November 20-December 18), the French Football Federation has announced that it is working with several other federations on a compensation fund for victims of occupational accidents on construction sites in Qatar. Speaking at the opening of the Think Football forum, organized at the headquarters of the FFF, Philippe Diallo, vice-president of the institution, summarized the position of the FFF in the face of the many criticisms that accompany the tournament in Qatar, namely “to accompany the evolutions, and not to boycott“. “We spoke with a dozen federations to work on a triptychof proposals, explained the leader.
What the FFF wants to do in Qatar
According to him, it is “to create a reception center for migrant workers which would be part of the legacy of the Qatari World Cup, to create a compensation fund for all those who were victims of accidents at work during the construction sites of the World Cup world, and to ensure that all captains can wear an armband sign of inclusion“, did he declare.
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This armband with colored stripes was unveiled last month and will be worn by several captains of European selections. “We are trying to be pragmatic, to be efficient, our choice is to support developments, and not to boycott, to ensure, without arrogance in relation to the organizing country, that the developments that we are beginning to see can be to prolong“, continued Philippe Diallo, specifying that the FFF would ensure that the employees and service providers of the base camp of the Blues in Doha have good”working conditions and remuneration“.
Qatar vigorously rejects criticism of its inaction on workers’ rights
The idea of a compensation fund for workers who worked on the construction sites of the competition has been brought in recent months by several human rights organizations, which have called on the sponsors of the World Cup to support the initiative. Qatar has implemented workers’ compensation systems but these measures have been slow and have not benefited everyone, according to the NGO Amnesty International. NGOs, which welcome certain social reforms, point to shortcomings in the protection of workers, as well as a recurring problem of unpaid wages.
“We have submitted these proposals to FIFA and the Supreme Committee. We must support developments and not boycottsaid Diallo. The changes that we are beginning to see should continue after the World Cup. We have a mission to play football, to bring people together and unite beyond politics. We have to gather. We are not in hypocrisy. We are in a process of progress on the occasion of this World Cup.»
Qatar, for its part, vigorously rejects criticism of its inaction on workers’ rights, welcoming in particular the introduction of a minimum wage, the relaxation of the dependence of workers vis-à-vis their employers and the imposition of stricter protective rules during very hot summers.
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