World Cup 2022: 'Inaction' on workers' rights 'tainting' World Cup legacy, says Amnesty International
Almost a year since the tournament began, the human rights group claims progress has "largely stalled".
It says "remedy and justice for hundreds of thousands of workers who suffered abuses linked to the tournament remain elusive"...
However, Qatar's government responded by insisting that the World Cup "accelerated labour reforms, creating a significant and lasting tournament legacy".
Fifa said it was "undeniable that significant progress has taken place", but accepted that "heightened efforts are needed to ensure the reforms benefit all workers in the country"...
Despite pressure from campaigners and European football associations, as well as generating a record £6bn from the World Cup, Fifa resisted calls for a compensation fund for the families of workers who had died, instead setting up a 'legacy fund' directed at education.
Amid calls for the creation of a Migrant Worker Centre in Doha, Fifa President Gianni Infantino announced plans for a permanent office for the International Labour Organization - a UN agency...
Amnesty acknowledges that it has learned from migrant workers that most can now leave the country freely, and noted advances in the enforcement of laws related to working in heat. But it said that "beyond this, [workers] painted a bleak picture of lost momentum and continued exploitation"...
In a statement, the Qatari government told the BBC: "The World Cup accelerated labour reforms in Qatar, creating a significant and lasting tournament legacy.
"Qatar now leads the region on workers' rights and labour reforms, setting an example for other countries on how a system can be successfully overhauled..."