ESPN E60’s Shocking Documentary on Qatar FIFA 2022: Many Slave Laborers Dying, Pinoy Workers Included
ESPN’s E:60 went to Qatar to investigate and expose the working and living conditions of migrant workers in the country that is set to host the 2022 World Cup. Although the main focus of the documentary were on migrant workers from Nepal, one of the workers interviewed made mention, “It’s not only the Nepalese who die, workers from every country are dying – Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka.”
Since Qatar is a small country with only less 300,000 citizens, it imports its labor force from poor countries specifically in South Asia including Nepal, the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
What is alarming is the increasing number of deaths from young workers that are said to be from cardiac arrest or from multiple traumatic injuries due to a fall from height (allegedly from suicide due to the inhumane living conditions). (Photos from ESPN’s video)
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According to Sharon Burrow, General Secretary of ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation), who has made 12 trips to Qatar since the emirate was awarded the World Cup, “Qatar is a slave state in the 21st century. You sign a contract. You’re really optimistic that you can send money home for your family. You arrive in Qatar, the contract is more often than not torn up in front of you and they pay you what they choose to.”
She adds, “over 4,000 migrant workers will die by the time the first ball is kicked on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.”Â
Watch the video “E60: Trapped in Qatar”, showing the shocking working and living conditions of people who are building the massive new infrastructures that will enable this small nation to host a tournament that is usually spread across sizable countries such Brazil, South Africa, or the United States. Â
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“December 28, 2013, just outside Doha, ground is broken on the first World Cup stadium. The plan is to build at least seven more. Over the next eight years, Qatar is expected to import another half million migrant workers.”
If this continues, it is expected that there will be more deaths. Burrow states that this is criminal and action should be taken.
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ESPN E60’s Shocking Documentary on Qatar FIFA 2022: Many Slave Laborers Dying, Pinoy Workers Included
