As part of the Dutch soccer federation's campaign to advance human rights at the competition, the Dutch World Cup team will visit a group of migrant workers in Qatar following a training session there before the team's opening game.
World Cup players from the Netherlands will visit migrant labourers in Qatar
On the eve of coach Louis van Gaal unveiling his final roster on Friday, the Royal Dutch Soccer Association made the announcement on Thursday night. Van Gaal stated in a statement, "First and foremost, we are travelling to Qatar to win the world championship, but of course we look beyond football.
He stated that "we think it vital to meet the people involved" as a team. So as to provide them a pleasant memory as well, we welcome them to our training. The announcement comes days after FIFA urged teams to concentrate on soccer at the World Cup amid worries regarding attitudes toward LGBTQ supporters and the treatment of migrant workers. According to the Dutch federation, FIFA and a union helped organise the meeting with 20 staff.
According to a 75-page report published on Thursday by the rights organisation Equidem in London, migrant workers who built Qatar's World Cup stadiums frequently worked long hours under difficult circumstances and were subjected to discrimination, wage theft, and other abuses as their employers avoided responsibility.
Qatar has implemented some labour changes in recent years that have received plaudits from Equidem and other rights organisations while being the subject of intense international scrutiny. But supporters claim that there are still many abuses and that there are limited options for workers to seek remedy. The first Arab or Muslim country to host the event, Qatar is accused by opponents of neglecting the reforms and using double standards.
Ambet E. Yuson, general secretary of the Building and Wood Workers' International union, claimed that while migrant employees employed on World Cup-related construction projects received better protection, the same could not be true for other Qatari workers.
Qatar has implemented some labour changes in recent years that have received plaudits from Equidem and other rights organisations while being the subject of intense international scrutiny. But supporters claim that there are still many abuses and that there are limited options for workers to seek remedy. The first Arab or Muslim country to host the event, Qatar is accused by opponents of neglecting the reforms and using double standards.
Ambet E. Yuson, general secretary of the Building and Wood Workers' International union, claimed that while migrant employees employed on World Cup-related construction projects received better protection, the same could not be true for other Qatari workers.
Employers still disobey the law and violate the human rights of migrant workers, frequently with impunity. The urgency of making progress toward a global human rights norm has increased as the event draws near, according to Yuson. On Nov. 21, Senegal will visit Qatar to play The Netherlands, a three-time World Cup runner-up. During the group stage, the side led by Van Gaal will also face Ecuador and the host nation.