By By Paul Iddon Nov 12, 2014 in World Qatar promised it would reform its horrendous labour rights record last May. It has failed to substantially live up to that obligation. Given the documented ill-treatment and exploitation of workers, which brought into question the suitability of such a state to host that international sports event, Qatar told the world it would take steps to improve workers treatment, pay and uphold their basic rights. They haven't lived up to this and six months later Amnesty has declared that the sheikdom has been “woefully insufficient” when it comes to implementing these steps. The head of that organizations Department for Refugee and Migrant Rights, Sherif Elsayed-Ali rightfully Qatar's promises to reform have amounted to little “more than promises of action and draft laws” according to Elsayed. Furthermore Qatar has to date failed to investigate the deaths of migrant construction workers as well as the abuse of their rights. One recent story indicates that around 3,000 North Koreans who were brought to Qatar by a North Korean state company were essentially used as slave labour. That company sent most of the money for these workers hard work (the workers got as little as 10% if any) straight back to the regime in Pyongyang, which of course is an aggressive regime whose abuses against its own people amount to crimes against humanity. One hopes that Amnesty's recent findings, unsurprising as they are, force FIFA to continuously reconsider its decision to have Qatar as the host nation for that important international sports event. Findings like these cannot be ignored, and if Qatar ignores them and fails to seriously investigate such abuses and do its utmost to reverse them then it would be an injustice on the part of FIFA and the nations of the world to be complicit in such vile and petty exploitation. Amnesty International recently released a damning, but not at all surprising, report about the present and ongoing status of the labour rights of expat workers helping Qatar's complete its ambitious construction projects in the run up to the 2022 World Cup set to be hosted in the Persian Gulf Sheikdom.Given the documented ill-treatment and exploitation of workers, which brought into question the suitability of such a state to host that international sports event, Qatar told the world it would take steps to improve workers treatment, pay and uphold their basic rights.They haven't lived up to this and six months later Amnesty has declared that the sheikdom has been “woefully insufficient” when it comes to implementing these steps.The head of that organizations Department for Refugee and Migrant Rights, Sherif Elsayed-Ali rightfully pointed out that , “Time is running out fast. It has been four years since Qatar won the bid to host the World Cup, putting itself in the global spotlight, so far its response to migrant labour abuses has not been much more than promises of action and draft laws. Urgent action is needed to ensure we do not end up with a World Cup tournament that is built on forced labour and exploitation.”Qatar's promises to reform have amounted to little “more than promises of action and draft laws” according to Elsayed.Furthermore Qatar has to date failed to investigate the deaths of migrant construction workers as well as the abuse of their rights. One recent story indicates that around 3,000 North Koreans who were brought to Qatar by a North Korean state company were essentially used as slave labour. That company sent most of the money for these workers hard work (the workers got as little as 10% if any) straight back to the regime in Pyongyang, which of course is an aggressive regime whose abuses against its own people amount to crimes against humanity.One hopes that Amnesty's recent findings, unsurprising as they are, force FIFA to continuously reconsider its decision to have Qatar as the host nation for that important international sports event. Findings like these cannot be ignored, and if Qatar ignores them and fails to seriously investigate such abuses and do its utmost to reverse them then it would be an injustice on the part of FIFA and the nations of the world to be complicit in such vile and petty exploitation. This opinion article was written by an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not necessarily intended to reflect those of DigitalJournal.com More about Qatar, 2022 World Cup, North korea More news from Qatar 2022 World Cup North korea