Criticism of working conditions in Qatar unfounded says GCO official

Khalifa International Stadium is one of two venues to host FIFA Arab Cup qualification matches this

Following the publication of an opinion piece by elected officials and NGOs denouncing the working conditions on construction sites of the future football World Cup, Sheikh Thamer Bin Hamad al-Thani, Deputy Director of the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar, considers these criticisms to be unfounded or poorly-founded. Above all, according to him, the authors are ignoring the labour reforms in his country. In response to an article published in the French newspaper 'Le Monde', the Deputy Director of the Government Communications Office of the State of Qatar added that in just under 500 days, the 2022 World Cup will begin in Qatar. It will be the first time that football’s flagship event will be hosted by an Arab country and in the Middle East, and thus an opportunity to dispel recurring stereotypes and misconceptions about the region. It will also be an opportunity to promote cultural exchanges and bring a message of hope and unity to our turbulent region. While for millions of people the World Cup in Qatar will be a cause for celebration, at a time when the world emerges from the clutches of the Covid-19 pandemic, this vision is not universally accepted. For some, Qatar is not a worthy host, with criticism centred around the important issue of workers’ rights. He said that it was therefore not surprising to see an article published in Le Monde on 26 June criticising working conditions in Qatar Under the title: “World Cup 2022: ‘We should not have to count the deaths caused by the construction of a World Cup’”, which criticised work conditions in the State of Qatar.