Canada Soccer added its voice on Friday to the push to improve workers’ rights and inclusion in Qatar as the country prepares to host the FIFA World Cup next month.
Posted at 9:55 p.m.
The gas-rich emirate has been criticized over the past decade for its treatment of migrant workers, mostly from South Asia, in the construction of billions-worth stadiums, transport and hotels ahead of the event hosting men’s soccer teams from 32 countries.
“Canada Soccer supports the continued pursuit of new progress on workers’ rights and inclusion as Qatar prepares to welcome the world,” the organization said in a statement released Friday.
Canada Soccer recalls that FIFA has “itself recognized these important issues and is discussing them with member associations and stakeholders”.
“While progress has been made to solidify worker protections through labor reforms adopted by the Government of Qatar, we encourage all partners to continue the dialogue to ensure that these reforms lead to tangible improvements for the protection of workers’ rights and inclusion across the country beyond the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” says Canada Soccer.
“We believe that one of the legacies of this tournament should be to inspire and encourage further improvements in this area, not only in Qatar, but across the region,” the organization added.
Canada Soccer General Secretary Earl Cochrane highlighted “Canada’s global reputation as a country that stands up for human rights”.
“And we have a very strong track record as leaders here. So we thought it was important for us, at the right time, to share that position not just with Canadians, but with global audiences at the same time,” he said in an interview.
australian video
The Canadian statement comes two days after the Australian team released a short video in which its players speak out about Qatar’s human rights record and call for reforms as a legacy of its organization of the Global.
“The tournament has been associated with the suffering of some migrant workers and their families and this cannot be ignored,” the Football Association of Australia said in a statement.
The federation said the video followed almost two years of consultations with the Socceroos, the players’ union, and a number of global organizations, including Amnesty International, FIFA and FIFPRO, the global players’ organization. .
Canada Soccer said it met with officials from the Canadian Embassy in Doha, Qatar in April, July and September this year, in addition to hearing presentations from the International Labor Organization and Amnesty International.
“Through our constant dialogue over the past few months, we understand that if fully implemented, Qatar’s legal reforms could have a real impact and further improve the protection of workers’ rights across the country,” the statement said. Canada Soccer. We encourage all partners to continue their efforts to implement recent labor reforms and continue to address and resolve labor law abuses. »
Canada Soccer claims to have “made the conscious decision to engage local suppliers in Qatar who have values and principles aligned with our Canadian values in addition to signing partnerships with them”.
The statement said Canada Soccer will also provide “cultural awareness training to our players and staff, families and friends as well as corporate partners in the days leading up to their trip to Qatar”.
Some European teams that will take part in the World Cup have said that their captains will wear an armband with a multicolored heart-shaped design during matches to support the “One Love” campaign against discrimination.
“I think that’s one of those things that will be up to the team to decide,” Cochrane said when asked if Canada could follow suit. “And that can come out in some of the dialogue that we have in some of the educational pieces that we provide to them. »
While homosexual acts are illegal in Qatar, the country says LGBTQ+ supporters of the teams will not be arrested.
Issues in Canada
Mr. Cochrane said internal discussions and ongoing research into the issues in Qatar have prompted his organization to look in its backyard and ask, “Are we doing enough at the national level to advocate for the things we are talking about? »
It means contributing to change in the country, including meaningful conversations with the LGBTQ+ community and Indigenous peoples.
Mr. Cochrane highlighted Canada Soccer’s ongoing labor relations discussions, citing the issue of pay equity between men’s and women’s teams.
Qatar rejects criticism
On several occasions, Qatar has claimed the country has improved protections for migrant workers and dismissed criticism as outdated.
Qatar’s ruling emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani lashed out at his country’s criticism this week, describing it as an “unprecedented campaign” targeting the first Arab nation to host the World Cup.
Qatar on Friday summoned the German ambassador following remarks by the German interior minister, who appeared to criticize the decision to award the organization of the competition to the Gulf Arab nation because of its human rights record.
With information from The Associated Press