JAKARTA Amnesty International urges FIFA President Gianni Infantino to commit to paying compensation to migrant workers who have desperately built all stadiums for Qatar's 2022 World Cup.
This insistence was conveyed by Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard in an op-ed published in international media on Friday, November 11.
"In the midst of the current growing frenzy, the most important sound of all remains silent: Gianni Infantino," Callamard wrote as quoted by RFI, Friday, November 11.
"Although private and public guarantees from FIFA that they are 'considering the proposal', Infantino, apart from some pleasantries, has consistently avoided the topic. Until now, he has not responded to our joint letter," added Callamard.
Sebelumnya pada Mei lalu lembaga tersebut dan 24 lembaga lainnya termasuk Human Rights Watch menulis surat kepada Infantino agar dirinya harus membuat program remediasi untuk "pelanggaran" yang dialami oleh para pekerja.
At the time, the groups said that many migrant workers, mostly from South Asia and Southeast Asia and Africa, had been exploited and subjected to massive abuse of workers.
Workers reportedly complain of working conditions such as forced labor, lost wages, unpaid, and long working hours without holidays.
The amplification of the rights of migrant workers was also conveyed by several sponsors of the four-year event. Support was also conveyed by the Australian national team which this month released a video saying the appointment of Qatar to host the World Cup resulted in several workers suffering losses.
However, earlier this month, Infantino angered human rights groups because of his call for 32 competing countries in Qatar to "focus on football".
Callamard said the letter from his side was a gross attempt at FIFA's error in ignoring violations and responsibilities of migrant workers.
"Given the history of well-documented violations of labor rights in Qatar, FIFA knows or should know the clear risks for workers when appointing Qatar to host the tournament," he said.
Qatar itself has rejected pressure related to compensation funds for migrant workers who died or were injured in the World Cup mega project.
Callamard revealed that the number of people and the scope of violations made the effort to pay compensation even more complicated. However, it should not be used as an excuse not to speak up.
"What we ask at this stage is the strong commitment of FIFA that workers who are harassed will be compensated and that programs to prevent further violations must be funded," he said.
"The program must include a center where workers can learn about their rights and seek legal assistance. All of this can be done quickly," he added.
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