Qatar World Cup: Fifa vice-president demands payment of migrant workers.

[the4thjuliek]

Well, after a month of World Cup fever, reality hit us hard. The last two weeks have been turbulent and violent and now, thanks to the great nation of Qatar, things have taken a turn for the (even more) depressing.

Comments

[rare_lj]

They are now working illegally from cockroach-infested lodgings while the World Cup organising committee occupies the offices, sparking widespread concern.

FIFA's being horrible about this, money is all they care about.

[ladyseraph_756]

How can you expect people to work in those conditions without pay?

This is insanity, although to be honest I don't know what can be done to stop this

[the4thjuliek]

I think the only good thing coming out of this is that the appaling behavior of the Middle Eastern countries are being exposed. Its happening not just in Qatar, but also in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE.

A friend of mine from college, her father worked in Saudi Arabia for several years. He hasn't been paid in the last six months and the employer is stalling the exit visa procedures. They've been scraping through because of help from friends.

(Sorry for the long response.)

[marsyke]

"They made promises about workers and the reform of the kafala system. The news that the Bidda tower workers themselves haven't been paid makes those promises sound pretty empty."

That's tragic.

[selenia_actimel]

At this point, is anyone buying Qatar's promises? Just move the world cup out of there. Please.