World Cup 2022

While the football world cup gathered many eyes, especially during the finals, it also garnered a lot of unwanted attention. It contains many issues, such as workers' rights, human rights abuses, and high temperatures.

One of the most important concerns related to the World Cup was the treatment of migrant workers who had been brought to Qatar to help build the infrastructure for the event. It was estimated that up to 1.5 million migrant workers were living and working in Qatar, many of whom came from countries such as India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

There have been various articles and news stories that cover the exploitation of these workers and their problems, including long working hours, low wages, and poor living conditions. Many workers have had their passports confiscated by their employers, which raised concerns about forced labor. There had also been reports of workers being subjected to physical and verbal abuse, as well as cases of workers being denied medical care and basic amenities.

In response to these concerns, the Qatari government implemented a number of reforms aimed at improving working conditions for migrant workers. These included the introduction of a minimum wage, improvements to boarding lodges, and the establishment of a labour dispute resolution committee. However, critics argued that these reforms did not go far enough and that more needed to be done to protect the rights of migrant workers in Qatar.

Another major issue related to the World Cup is human rights abuses in Qatar. Human rights groups have raised concerns about a range of issues, including restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly, the mistreatment of domestic workers, and the treatment of LGBT+ community.

One of the most famous cases on the topic in Qatar was the treatment of the British football fan, Ali Issa Ahmed. Ahmed was arrested and detained in Qatar for wearing a t-shirt that was deemed to be offensive during the 2019 Club World Cup. He was held in detention for over two weeks before being released and deported back to the UK.

There have also been concerns about the treatment of migrant workers who are members of the LGBT+ community. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and is punishable by imprisonment or deportation. As a result, many LGBT+ migrant workers are forced to conceal their sexual orientation or face persecution and discrimination.

Qatar has made some efforts to improve its human rights record in recent years. For example, the country abolished its “kafala” system in 2020, which tied workers to their employers and made it difficult for them to leave their jobs or country, as it gave the sole power over the labourers to the company.

A third major issue related to the World Cup is the extreme heat in Qatar. The country has a desert climate, and temperatures can reach up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) during the summer months. This has raised concerns about the health and safety of players and fans during the event.

These issues led to multiple probes in the FIFA committees, just to uncover many corruption scandals and accusations to crop up and still be investigated today. If nothing else, let this be a reminder that corruption and underhand tactics are prevalent even in seemingly neutral bodies, and we must be aware and careful of them as we move and affect different spheres in our lives. Take care and have a great week ahead!