World Cup workers face deportation from Qatar
Summary
Date Reported: 24 Jan 2023
Location: Qatar
Companies
Festival Global Management - Other Value Chain Entity , Stark Security - Employer , FIFA - ClientProjects
Qatar World Cup 2022 Unspecified Projects - ClientOther
Government ( Public Entities ) - GovernmentAffected
Total individuals affected: 1000
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Middle East & No. Africa , Security companies , Gender not reported ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Southeast Asia , Security companies , Gender not reported ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Africa , Security companies , Gender not reported )Issues
Intimidation , Freedom of Expression , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Dismissal , Wage Theft , Strikes and other work stoppages , Restricted mobility , Freedom of Assembly , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Access to Justice & Legal Protection , Internet AccessResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist & BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Stark Security, Festival Global and World Cup organisers the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy did not respond to request for comment. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited FIFA to respond to the allegations; their response can be read in full. In May 2023, the Telegraph reported that three workers remained in detention following their arrest for participating in the protests.
Source type: News outlet
Hundreds of migrant workers in Qatar employed as security guards during the World Cup at Fifa’s main media centre and other key sites face deportation after launching an unprecedented street protest in Doha on Sunday against mass sackings that followed the tournament.
The protest was the culmination of a long-running labour dispute involving workers sacked before the end of their six-month contracts to work at the World Cup. They were left without salary, bonuses and a place to live – forcing them to occupy their company accommodation.
Telegraph Sport has been told that around 400 workers formerly employed by Stark Security Services and Festival Global Management, which are based in Doha, hired buses to take them to protest at the offices of the latter in the West Bay area of the capital city. Police were summoned and arrests were made. Eye-witnesses have reported the workers being escorted to their accommodation to collect their belongings ahead of the deportation process.
The men from south-east Asia, Africa and the Middle East were recruited to work for Stark Security, chiefly guarding the Qatar National Convention Centre which housed Fifa’s media hub…
Stark Security were contacted on more than one occasion to comment but did not respond. The Supreme Organising Committee for the 2022 World Cup did not respond to requests to comment. A senior executive at Festival Global did not respond to messages.
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