Qatar 2022 stadium workers will this year see improvements in storage systems for harnesses, health record management and training for medical staff, according to a trade union report.
The move comes after the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), a global trade union for construction workers, and Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy carried out labour and accommodation checks surrounding construction work at stadia for football’s 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Positive takeaways from the report include the well-staffed occupational health clinics, and the Workers’ Welfare Forums (WWF), set up by the SC to encourage workers to speak openly about any issues they have in relation to their work or accommodation.
The two groups said they “recognised the importance of free and fair discussions in the WWFs, which are central element of the grievance mechanisms available to workers.”
WWF workers will this year be provided with skills training to help improve communication and leadership skills.
“As this report shows, we have made progress, but we know more can be done, especially as we begin an important year of construction,” said Hassan Al Thawadi, SC secretary general.
“We have always believed this World Cup has the power to deliver a meaningful social legacy, and our partnership with BWI is an essential part of that commitment. I’m extremely pleased that we will continue this important partnership in 2018.”
There have been widespread concerns surrounding working conditions at World Cup venues in Qatar over recent years.
The inspections started in January 2017 and ran for an initial period of 12 months. Discussions started between both parties in March 2014.
Ambet Yuson, general secretary of BWI, said: “The work we’ve conducted with the SC has been an excellent starting point.
“The cooperative and constructive partnership in place has improved the conditions of workers across World Cup projects, which would not have been possible without the willingness shown by the SC and in particular the secretary general, to engage us in constructive dialogue. Over the next 12 months, the BWI team will return to Qatar and we hope to make further progress in the coming months.”
Images: SC
