In brief
An internal FIFA report advocates for compensation for workers injured or killed during the construction of the Qatar World Cup infrastructure, amid ongoing scrutiny over labor conditions.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the first of its kind in the Middle East, was marred by reports of injuries and fatalities among workers who were involved in building a modern urban landscape, inclusive of stadiums, hotels, and public transportation. Recently, an undisclosed report commissioned by FIFA has drawn attention by recommending that the soccer governing body should assume responsibility for compensating injured workers, or their dependents in the case of fatalities, as per insights from unnamed sources familiar with the document.While the report did not specify the total compensation amount, Amnesty International highlighted the need for a compensation fund of at least $440 million. Up until now, FIFA has not provided any compensation to individuals harmed during the construction period. In a statement to The New York Times, FIFA indicated that while all recommendations in the report were evaluated, not all could be adopted, although some impactful suggestions were retained.FIFA's communication mentioned that the report is not a legal justification for compensation, and it has been kept under wraps as the organization deliberated on its implications. FIFA has committed to publishing the internal report by the end of the current year, which raises anticipation for public scrutiny regarding the findings and suggested actions.
