Features
FIFA 2022 is happening in Qatar. The location of the game is in itself a controversy. Several issues including climate, culture, stadium, construction and, importantly, the people, have led to heated debates. H.E Hassan, Secretary-General, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, dismisses all criticism with the claim that “the tournament is an opportunity for building bridges.” It seems like the government wants to showcase their culture and hospitality to the world.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Credits: Google Images
The country has faced major criticism for the alleged exploitation and ill-treatment of construction workers. These include forceful dangerous work, biased treatments, and so on. There have also been charges of corruption with persistent allegations of “vote-buying” that swayed the FIFA committee’s decision to grant the hosting of FIFA World Cup 2022 to Qatar. Proof of workplace accidents and deaths are regularly cited. Human rights violations and issues of corruption are also being highlighted. A report in the Guardian in 2013 has pointed out several issues of labour exploitation. In Qatar, there was widespread news of labour involving a threat to infrastructure work.