KNVB response to questions regarding labour rights risks to migrant workers & remedy for abuse during the Qatar 2022 World Cup
Six months after the final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, our research - After the Final Whistle: Migrant workers speak out on exploitation during Qatar World Cup 2022 - revealed systemic labour rights abuse among workers in Qatar during the World Cup, including extortionate and illegal fee-charging, wage theft, an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, and a serious lack of due diligence or monitoring by employers and workplaces on how workers were being treated at work. We asked all participating, visiting football associations the following;
- Invite you to respond to the findings of the report; and,
- Invite you to disclose information regarding the risks to workers detected by your systems during the tournament, including:
- How many reports of abuse your organisation detected among contracted companies’ workforces, including at team and staff hotels;
- The steps your organization took in response to those reports; and,
- The steps taken to remedy and compensate workers, including amounts reimbursed in the case of recruitment fee-payment and wage theft.
KNVB, the Dutch Football Association, said:
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To find out more about the steps that the KNVB has undertaken in the run up to the World Cup we have regularly published updates on our actions and activities. Including the due diligence approach that we have set up and applied: KNVB en het WK in Qatar | KNVB
As far as of today, we have not received any direct report of grievance. We have been made aware of possible cases through media reports. In all those cases the KNVB has requested the service provider to provide information and clarification. None of the cases have led or resulted in a grievance report.
To round up we would like to invite you to visit our association’s page as we regularly provide updates on our processes and activities. The site can be visited through: Looking back at nine KNVB initiatives aimed at the other side of the World Cup in Qatar | KNVB. The KNVB has stated to actively work on this subject before, during and after the World Cup. Through the above link you will find our initiatives and activities. Further updates will be updated in due time.
The response can be read in full below.