Qatar says worker deaths for World Cup ’between 400 and 500’

30 November 2022 10:38 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A top Qatari official involved in the country’s World Cup organization has put the number of worker deaths for the tournament “between 400 and 500” for the first time, a drastically higher number than any other previously offered by Doha.

The comment by Hassan al-Thawadi, the secretary-general of Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, appeared to come off the cuff during an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan.

It also threatened to reinvigorate criticism by human rights groups over what the toll of hosting the Middle East’s first World Cup for the migrant labor that built over $200 billion worth of stadiums, metro lines and new infrastructure needed for the tournament.

The Supreme Committee and Qatar’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

In the interview, portions of which Morgan posted online, the British journalist asks al-Thawadi: “What is the honest, realistic total do you think of migrant workers who died from – as a result of work they’re doing for the World Cup in totality?”

“The estimate is around 400, between 400 and 500,” al-Thawadi responds. “I don’t have the exact number. That’s something that’s been discussed.”

But that figure hasn’t been discussed publicly previously. Reports from the Supreme Committee dating from 2014 through the end of 2021 only include the number of deaths of workers involved in building and refurbishing the stadiums now hosting the World Cup.

Those released figures put the total number of deaths at 40. They include 37 from what the Qataris describe as nonwork incidents such as heart attacks and three from workplace incidents. One report also separately lists a worker death from the coronavirus amid the pandemic.

Since FIFA awarded the tournament to Qatar in 2010, the country has taken some steps to overhaul the country’s employment practices. That includes eliminating its so-called kafala employment system, which tied workers to their employers, who had say over whether they could leave their jobs or even the country.

Qatar also has adopted a minimum monthly wage of 1,000 Qatari riyals ($275) for workers and required food and housing allowances for employees not receiving those benefits directly from their employers. It also has updated its worker safety rules to prevent deaths.

“One death is a death too many. Plain and simple,” al-Thawadi adds in the interview.

Activists have called on Doha to do more, particularly when it comes to ensuring workers receive their salaries on time and are protected from abusive employers.

Al-Thawadi’s comment also renews questions on the veracity of both government and private business reporting on worker injuries and deaths across the Gulf Arab states, whose skyscrapers have been built by laborers from South Asia nations like India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Mustafa Qadri, the executive director of Equidem Research, a labor consultancy that has published reports on the toll of the construction on migrant laborers, said he was surprised by al-Thawadi’s remark.

“For him now to come and say there is hundreds, it’s shocking,” he told The Associated Press. “They have no idea what’s going on.”

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Comments - 11

Gert Jan, the Netherlands Wednesday, 30 November 2022 11:34 AM

The Guardian and Amnesty International says thousands labour died or were injured. Families did not get compensation. I intend to believe them more than Qatar or FIFA. This Worldcup is a fiasco in Europe anyway. Very little interest of the people.

German Wednesday, 30 November 2022 11:40 AM

FIFA and Qatar forbids people to wear a one love band, but they allow Qatar officials to wear a Palestine support band? Who is the hypocrite here?

Sarooj Wednesday, 30 November 2022 12:19 PM

Do you guys have the figures when Russia,America,south korea and europe hosted the world Cup

Homosexual Aussie Wednesday, 30 November 2022 12:49 PM

The working conditions in those countries (except Russia maybe) are very different. Amnesty International is monitoring all countries. Also monitoring Australia. No one should suffer for other peoples entertainment. This is not only about these figures by the way It is also that people like me are excluded from this worldcup. Football is supposed to be enjoyement for everyone.

firdhous Wednesday, 30 November 2022 01:16 PM

A big thank and great applause for those players who brought this issue to the day light while playing their game. You people are the real gentlemen, raise a voice for the weak…… !

Sunil Wednesday, 30 November 2022 02:11 PM

Even 500 is a horrendous figure. However, the actual figure will exceed 6,000.

Gert Jan, the Netherlands Wednesday, 30 November 2022 02:16 PM

To Sarooj: comments like yours make me think about my own self righteousness. I lived in many different countries during my life, for example in Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, USA, Morroco, Surinam. I learned a lot from different cultures and mentalities, but I realise I never got rid of my Dutch complacency. Still in my opinion the fact how Qatar (and FIFA even more) handles these human rights victims is wrong. You are right: even my country does not handle human rights to the most, especially the refugees concerned. Something we should not forget in Europe and think about before we judge others from our comfortable chairs.

Rohan Wednesday, 30 November 2022 04:22 PM

Even one man's life is worth more than a World Cup. This news is a public interest in all developed countries and people are disgusted about it. Qatar has a show off to the world and also for their neighbouring Jealousy Arab nations. How much wealth those camel riders obtained, they are still uncivilised and morally bankrupted people.

Punchi Wednesday, 30 November 2022 04:42 PM

When taking of refugees or boat arrivals aljazera uses the term "illegal push backs". There is a failure to understand that these people from Pakistan, Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, bangladesh etc are leaving their Islamic paradises to illegally get into Christian whitemans europe. Most recent rescued in the English Channel included Indians

Critical thinker Thursday, 01 December 2022 02:09 AM

The World Cup chief addressed deaths in ‘All sectors’ since 2014 in Qatar not just stadium related deaths. Gosh people stop falling for these western media propaganda who are tryin to make a story out of everything. If you are not sure how true I’m just go to Piers Morgans Twitter page and see it for yourself.

Andrew Silva Thursday, 01 December 2022 06:30 AM

It will be factual when this number is multiplied by 10 I mean ten.

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Qatar says worker deaths for World Cup ’between 400 and 500’

Comments - 11

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