FERW Issues Report Praising Qatar's Bid to Host 2022 World Cup

FERW

FIFA Ethics and Regulations Watch (FERW) hailed the measures taken by the State of Qatar in the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, praising the positive measures and significant improvements in workers' rights and the legislative and legal measures, stressing that these measures are in the interest of preserving the dignity of the workers.

FERW confirmed that the State of Qatar presents a role model in dealing with the hosting file. It indicated that its observations on the ground proved the falseness of the allegations circulated by some foreign media, pointing out that the Qatari model in dealing with the hosting file is a model for all countries.

This came during a press conference held Thursday by FERW on the occasion of issuing its report on this file after its visit to Doha. Alistair Thompson, FERW president, and Robert Oulds, Director of the Bruges Group and a FERW manager, spoke at the conference.

FERW had paid a three-day visit to the State of Qatar at the invitation of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), where the organization held meetings with officials from NHRC, the Ministry of Labor, and the ILO office in Doha. It also conducted interviews with workers and field visits to the residences of workers in the 2022 World Cup projects.

During the conference, the two speakers praised the openness and transparency that the FERW delegation saw from the officials and those in charge of the bid to host the 2022 World Cup, indicating that their observations on the ground exceeded expectations.

The two speakers denounced the prejudiced press reports issued by some Western media against the hosting bid, stressing that these reports indicated exaggerations in the number of deaths among workers in World Cup projects during the past ten years. They underlined that these exaggerations in numbers contradict reality and are a falsification of facts. They explained that these deaths are not related to the World Cup infrastructure projects, but rather the total deaths of workers during that period. They pointed out that the real number of deaths did not exceed three workers, a much lower number than other countries' infrastructure projects to host major tournaments.

Moreover, they expressed their fascination with what they witnessed on the ground, praising the modern medical facilities of the State of Qatar and the measures taken by the state to ensure the well-being of those working in projects hosting the World Cup.

Alistair Thompson, FERW president, praised the cooperation and openness he witnessed during his visit to the State of Qatar to find out the measures it took in the bid to host the 2022 World Cup. He indicated that his meetings with officials from the Ministry of Labor, the ILO office in Doha, and NHRC highlighted accurately the facts and actions taken on the ground, indicating that this was reflected in the FERW report.

Thompson indicated that the report's goal is to clarify the facts from a neutral academic point of view. He pointed out that there are disturbing rumors issued by some Western media, stressing that this has been proven false on the ground. He referred to the ILO praise of Qatar's measures to improve the workers' conditions and ensure that they obtain their rights.

He pointed out that FERW obtained accurate information from the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC). In this context, he continued that SC provided FERW with the requested information, which were true and accurate. He explained that SC invited external auditors to review the numbers and information.

FERW president praised the model stadiums built by the State of Qatar according to safe and sound foundations, stressing that several issues were not properly reported in the reports issued by some authorities. He underscored that the State of Qatar is positively addressing all matters, pointing out that there is interest in workers and the labor market is very open, which is what drives economic growth so FERW will convey this message to the world.

He stressed that what the State of Qatar has done to ensure the success of the hosting bid will be an example to be followed, adding that the standards established by Qatar will be useful to the countries that will host the tournament in the future. He explained that the FERW report highlighted the measured taken by Qatar, especially its ensuring of workers' rights.

During the conference, Alistair Thompson, FERW president, talked about his field visit to the Workers' City and praised what he saw on the ground, indicating that more than 70,000 workers are enjoying wonderful living conditions, pointing to the entertainment facilities in the Workers' City and the outdoor spaces to exercise. The UK doesn't have such facilities for workers, he said.

Thompson indicated that the organization's goal in this visit is to see the reality closely, convey the true picture and correct the course of those media outlets, stressing the need for there to be strict standards of professionalism and impartiality and that all media outlets and press in all countries of the world abide by them.

FERW president pointed out that the organization's goal in this visit is to see the reality closely, convey the true picture and correct the course of those media outlets, stressing the need for there to be strict standards of professionalism and impartiality and that all media outlets and press in all countries of the world abide by them.

For his part, Director of the Bruges Group and a FERW manager, Robert Oulds expressed admiration for the progress witnessed by the State of Qatar and the openness of the labor market, pointing out that the State of Qatar has given the world an example to follow and has achieved what astounds people abroad.

Oulds referred to the positive reports that praise Qatar's procedures for hosting the tournament and indicated that the organization had undertaken research and audit to clarify the truth, by conducting interviews with those responsible for this file and through opinion polls for infrastructure workers associated with projects hosting the World Cup or those who had previously worked there. He added that FERW has looked at the legislation and the amendments made to it, and the impact of the changes and improvements have had on the ground, pointing out that FERW found that the situation is better than what was stated in the positive reports issued in this regard. He stressed that the Qatari model is one of the most beautiful success stories that should be told to people around the world.

He continued that there are some issues and aspects that should be dealt with effectively, pointing out that the Qatari side is determined to make the necessary correction to any matter.

Oulds expressed the organization's conviction of its results on the ground, praising workers' conditions and what Qatar has done for Afghan refugees. Unfortunately, the world does not know what the State of Qatar is doing and what is happening on the ground, he explained.

He noted that sport should change the world for the better, which will support the economy and enhance human rights, adding that Qatar has shown its desire to change without being forced by any party.

Oulds spoke about FIFA's standards and interest in human rights and its aspiration for the positive impact that Qatar's hosting of the tournament will have and indicated that the State of Qatar is doing this positively according to strict practices and methodology, stressing the independence of the organization and that its goal is to convey the truth to the world.

The 2022 World Cup will leave a great legacy in terms of human rights and what has been established in this field, and FERW has made some recommendations for other sports bodies to take into consideration, and it is necessary to review the experience of Qatar and adopt the high standards that it has applied, he added.

He pointed out that what Qatar has provided for this hosting qualifies it to embody a role model to avoid any abuse of workers' rights, and praised Qatar's openness to positive criticism and its introduction of the required changes and improvements. The 2022 World Cup will represent an opportunity to celebrate sports, indicating that it is shameful to spread lies about this file, he added. He explained that FERW is interested in clarifying the facts and exposing lies, adding that this is an opportunity to correct the image.

Oulds praised the Qatar National Vision 2030, explaining that it is ambitious and unique.

He noted the great progress that the State of Qatar has witnessed since winning the 2022 bid in 2010, stressing in this context that the State of Qatar was able, during the years that followed that winning, to make significant improvements in the conditions of workers, the health system, the establishment of suitable housing for workers and the creation of adequate living conditions.

He underlined that the workers' condition in Qatar is much better than other countries' workers' conditions during establishing infrastructure projects.

FERW began as an initiative of former football players and human rights activists in early 2016, and the main idea of its establishment was to harmonize sports with human rights. In 2017, the idea turned into an organization.

The organization's vision is to promote free and fair global sports by ensuring that FIFA is free of corruption and treats countries equally.

FERW is an independent body that monitors and reports on ethical standards and implements corruption-free sports, focusing on football and its main governing body, FIFA.

SOURCE: QNA