By Andrew Warshaw
October 4 – FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar’s bid to offset criticism of its labour rights record has been boosted with the opening of a branch of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) in Doha.
Three months ago, the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), a leading humanitarian organisation, published a 146-page report highlighting conditions imposed on migrant workers and suggesting Qatar’s practices were not up to international standards.
Qatar 2022 reacted by promising to give working conditions in the Gulf state key consideration.
Now, the United Kingdom-based IOSH charity – the world’s largest health and safety organisation with more than 40,000 members in 80 countries – has set up an office in the Qatari capital.
Its motto is to create “a world of work which is safe, healthy and sustainable” via training courses and the Qatar branch will bring together experts to help improve all manner of safety in the workplace, with the focus partly on 2022.
“We will look to contribute to a safe and healthy 2022 World Cup in Qatar, by offering guidance on construction safety and sports events planning,” said IOSH President Subash Ludhra in outlining a five-year plan.
Olumide Adeolu, head of Qatar branch, told the Gulf Times: “Our duty is to ensure that workers are adequately protected from accidents at their workplace and also to provide support to safety practitioners, who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring a safe workplace.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1738988660labto1738988660ofdlr1738988660owedi1738988660sni@w1738988660ahsra1738988660w.wer1738988660dna1738988660.