By Andrew Warshaw
April 22 – Gianni Infantino wasted no time, on his first trip to Qatar since becoming FIFA president, in stressing the need for the 2022 World Cup hosts to maintain efforts to improve workers’ welfare.
Infantino began his visit, which followed a similar one to 2018 hosts Russia, by touring the Khalifa International Stadium, a main World Cup venue which will also host the 2019 World Athletics Championships.
Before wrapping up his visit with a news conference, Infantino met the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, and held talks with organising committee chiefs and Qatar’s Prime Minister HE Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani who briefed him on developments undertaken to protect migrant workers’ rights.
“We had a very open and positive discussion on the 2022 FIFA World Cup and a wide range of topics,” Infantino said. “I told the Prime Minister the measures taken so far by the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) to ensure fair working conditions on FIFA World Cup construction sites are going in the right direction.
“However, I made it very clear that it is essential for the Qatari authorities to ensure that the country complies to international standards on the treatment of workforce and to continue at full pace with the implementation of the promised measures.”
Infantino and his delegation received a comprehensive update on the various aspects of preparations from Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi and other senior football officials including the President of the Qatar Football Association (QFA) Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmad Al Thani.
“It was very important for me to personally get an impression of the preparations from a different perspective. It was very interesting and I want to thank Hassan Al Thawadi and his team. There is a big commitment from the Qatari people.”
During his visit, Infantino announced the creation of a new independent oversight committee to monitor conditions for labourers on World Cup sites.
“The hosting of the FIFA World Cup is an opportunity to set a benchmark in terms of sustainable and fair conditions for all workers in Qatar,” said Infantino.
“I was pleased to see the personal commitment of the Prime Minister not only to the 2022 FIFA World Cup but also to treat with the utmost importance the issues of workers’ standards so as to guarantee their rights in full. FIFA and I will take the Qatari authorities at their word and I look forward to the concrete actions which will be the real testament of will.”
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