JAKARTA - International soccer federation FIFA will hold talks with members of associations and confederations to discuss issues of worker welfare and human rights in host country Qatar ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
In February, the British Guardian reported at least 6,500 migrant workers -- many of whom worked on World Cup projects -- have died in Qatar since the country won the right to host the World Cup 10 years ago.
Players from Germany, the Netherlands and Norway have since worn T-shirts voicing concerns over human rights in Qatar in World Cup qualifiers before the match began.
At a meeting with FIFA, the secretary general of Qatar's governing body, Hassan Al Thawadi, assured stakeholders that "significant progress" had been made through the employment reform program since Qatar was awarded the ball tournament in 2010.
The meeting, also reported by Antara on Wednesday, May 12, featured presentations from human rights organizations and unions who knew firsthand the situation on the ground.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the satisfaction of association members was crucial to recent labor reforms that have "benefited tens of thousands of workers across Qatar."
"I very much welcome the constructive involvement of our association members on this important topic," Infantino said, quoted by Reuters.
"We know there is still work to be done, but we need to acknowledge the significant progress achieved in a very short period of time, thanks to the commitment of the highest authorities in the country, and to ensure that any debate on this complex issue must be resolved based on verified facts," he continued.
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