Organisers of 2022 Qatar World Cup unveil 'Workers' Charter' to protect migrants' rights

The organisers of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have reportedly published a 'Workers' Charter' in an attempt to protect the rights of migrant workers employed in the construction of the projects for the tournament.

This comes after almost 200 Nepalese men are reported to have died last year working on construction projects in Qatar.

According to the BBC, the new 50-page document, entitled 'Workers' Welfare Standards' has been developed in conjunction with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and details the measures that Qatar's World Cup Supreme Committee plan to enact when dealing with contractors and subcontractors over key projects.

Some of the key points included in the charter that the employers will have to follow are as follows:

Health and Safety - fostering and actively encouraging a world-class health and safety culture

Employment Standards - complying with the Supreme Committee's required employment standards and all relevant Qatari laws

Equality and Dignity - treating all workers equally and fairly, irrespective of their origin, nationality, ethnicity, gender or religion and ensuring that their dignity is protected and preserved throughout their employment and repatriation

Unlawful Practices - prohibition of child labour, forced labour, and human trafficking

Working and Living Conditions - creating and maintaining safe and healthy working and living conditions

Wages - ensuring that wages are paid to workers on time

Grievances - prohibiting retaliation against workers who exercise any rights deriving from the Supreme Committee's required employment standards or relevant Qatari laws

Training - providing workers with training on skills necessary to carry out their tasks, including areas related to health and safety.