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[Maninthemirror]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/13/us-soccer-forum-asia-qatar-idUSKBN0DT1I520140513

Speaking to delegates at the Soccerex Asian Forum by the banks of the Dead Sea, Al Khater addressed the issues of workers rights under the kafala (tied employment) system used in the country.

"Contrary to what the international media says there has not been a single injury or death on the World Cup projects," he said.

"It's not possible to have 400 deaths when you are still digging a hole in the ground so I would like to make sure this matter is put to rest.
"However, we have taken the issue of workers welfare very seriously and made sure that the highest standards in terms of workers welfare are stated in all our contracts.

"We have always said the World Cup is a catalyst for change and we welcome the spotlight this issue has brought."

Hundreds of construction workers have died in Qatar on non-World Cup projects, but moves are underway to implement major safety changes throughout the country's construction industry.

Al Khater said that only one World Cup stadium was currently under construction and that five would get under way by the end of this year.

"There has been a lot of speculation that Qatar has minimized the number of stadiums and some have said it's because of budget cuts," Al Khater said. "That’s not true.

"Given the size of the country, while we propose 12 stadiums, eight are in final preparation. Of those eight, five will be in different phases of construction by end of this year, with the remaining three announced after 2014.

"Then, in 2015 we will decide alongside FIFA how many stadia Qatar really needs.

Reference:

Qatar is spending $220 Billion in preparation of the world cup

$160 Billion is being spent on the countries infrastructure like tourism, roads, transportations and systems
$60 Billion is being spent on World cup related Projects like stadiums, athlete villages and WC related buildings

 

[Jb]

"Not a single injury."

Isn't lying haram?

 

[Maninthemirror]

"Not a single injury."

Isn't lying haram?

I think he may have meant 'major' but still

 

[Seanspeed]

Well I'm glad that's cleared up.

 

[Dennis]

Do the foreign workers even count as real people in Qatar?

 

[SUPREME1]

All Khater was injured during this press conference.

 

[Moff]

 

[Fuzzery]

Shoulda been first post.

 

[Maninthemirror]

So Question is. Can 400 people die from digging a hole in a ground or is it the media tagging non-world cup related deaths to world cup projects.

 

[feel]

Ah, the firing the worker midfall loophole.

 

[mre]

Oh good. So those weren't really dead migrant workers in Qatar in the video from the other thread. That's good to know.

 

[Kinitari]

So Question is. Can 400 people die from digging a hole in a ground or is it the media tagging non-world cup related deaths to world cup projects.

It may be the latter. It's not particularly flattering for Qatar, but if they really haven't even started with the stadiums, then I guess so. Not a huge difference though, if they're building infrastructure for the world cup, that counts as world cup related building in my book.

 

[Stet]

Don't worry everyone, it's just deaths related to other construction projects around the country.

 

[Maninthemirror]

It may be the latter. It's not particularly flattering for Qatar, but if they really haven't even started with the stadiums, then I guess so. Not a huge difference though, if they're building infrastructure for the world cup, that counts as world cup related building in my book.

that is true. the guy in the article acknowledges 100s have died in non-world cup construction so at least the Qatari government KNOW that the world will be watching even more closely when World Cup stadiums start being built in the cement phase.

The UAE has a worse record on workers rights but no one seems to care in the media because the world cup is not being held there. Its an issue throughout the region where Arabs are rich and Pakistanis, Nepalis, Bangladeshis and Indians are poor and the only way they can support their families is not back home but here.

 

[TUSR]

Yet

 

[PoemOfTheLastMoment]

that is true. the guy in the article acknowledges 100s have died in non-world cup construction so at least the Qatari government KNOW that the world will be watching even more closely when World Cup stadiums start being built in the cement phase.

The UAE has a worse record on workers rights but no one seems to care in the media because the world cup is not being held there. Its an issue throughout the region where Arabs are rich and Pakistanis, Nepalis, Bangladeshis and Indians are poor and the only way they can support their families is not back home but here.

Bingo!

 

[Esch]

 

[Peff]

They were sent to another dimension.

 

[Yamauchi]

Pardon, did you just say $220 billion?

Damn, and I thought this guy was good at making big event money disappear:

 

[Entropia]

Where the fuck did all that money come from!?

 

[BigDes]

All of the workers went to that farm where my first dog went when it got older I bet

 

[Saganator]

Glad all their slaves are safe.

 

[Yamauchi]

Where the fuck did all that money come from!?

 

[PoemOfTheLastMoment]

Labourer die over there from heat exhaustion every month. They do their best cover up any loose ends and prosecute anyone who film any evidence of it. It's a law in the UAE now.

 

[PetriP-TNT]

Well, good for the workers, bad for the dead slaves I guess.

 

[mantidor]

Way to spin things.

No one has said there were already deaths, what was said was that it is guaranteed Qatar will use slave labor and deaths could be very high.

 

[YaGaMi]

Where the fuck did all that money come from!?

Oil. They rely on that and don't work.

 

[LyleLanley]

Holy shit, $220 billion?

 

[breakfuss]

Pardon, did you just say $220 billion?

Damn, and I thought this guy was good at making big event money disappear:

To be fair, a good portion of this money is being spent on practical shit. Russia was airlifting snow.

 

[MexiCag]

$220 billion for a month event...

Insane

 

[jmdajr]

$220 billion for a month event...

Insane

And each worker gets what? 10 bucks?

 

[Paskil]

No workers died, now slaves on the other hand...

Com'n, get it together, slaves aren't people.