Qatar 2022: New 'Workers Charter' launched

185 Nepalese construction workers died last year alone following what human rights organisation Amnesty International described as "systemic" abuses. There has been international outrage following investigations revealing dangerous working conditions and squalid accommodation on the building projects associated with the hosting of the tournament.

Organisers of the 2022 World Cup were set a deadline of February 12th by world football governing body FIFA to explain how conditions are improving for migrant workers. Sky Sports News has been told they're getting their "house in order" before work starts on 12 stadiums built especially for the 2022 tournament. That includes enshrining the into law an attempt to protect the rights of migrant workers.

The committee says contractors must comply with the following principals as a pre-requisite to the selection and retention of contracts, adding that "a focus is being placed on working with contractors to improve standards on a continuous basis".

PRINCIPALS IN TREATMENT OF WORKERS:

Health and Safety: foster and actively encourage a world-class health and safety culture.

Employment standards: comply with SC's required employment standards and all relevant Qatari laws.

Equality: treat all workers equally and fairly, irrespective of their origin, nationality, ethnicity, gender or religion.

Dignity: ensure that workers' dignity is protected and preserved throughout their employment and repatriation.

Unlawful practices: prohibit child labour, forced labour and human trafficking practices.

Working and living conditions: create and maintain safe and healthy working and living conditions.

Wages: ensure that wages are paid to workers on time

Grievences: prohibit retaliation against workers who exercise any rights deriving from SC's required employment standards or relevant Qatari laws.

Access to information: provide access to accurate information in the appropriate language regarding workers' rights deriving from SC's required employment standards or relevant Qatari laws.

Training: provide workers with training on skills necessary to carry out their tasks, including areas related to their health and safety.

Organisers say 'tangible' progress has already been made with Ministry of Labour & Social Affairs (MOLSA) increasing the number of trained labour inspectors by 30% over the last 6 months and a hotline has been launched so workers can report issues. Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy said: 'We already see this progress taking place across Qatar on a daily basis, and will continue to work hard to make our vision become the ever-present reality on the ground'.

FIFA executive committee member Theo Zwanziger has been given the responsibility to monitor any progress. He is due before the European Parliament on February 13 in a hearing over workers' rights in the Arab emirate.