FIFA’S Blatter Meets Qatar’s Emir To Discuss Labour Issues

FIFA president Sepp Blatter met with Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani on Wednesday to discuss labour reforms that were introduced for migrant workers in the Gulf state, the football governing body said in a statement.

In an hour-long meeting, held at the Al Bahr Palace, the two officials discussed about a wide range of issues including Qatar’s preparations to host FIFA World Cup 2022, the development of football in the region and ongoing labour reforms to ensure the welfare of the migrant workers.

Qatar was criticised internationally after media reports revealed that number of migrant workers died due to inhumane working conditions in a number of its construction sites. Following that, the Gulf country recently announced a number of labour reforms, which include a mid-day work ban during summer and penalties for firms that do not pay wages on time.

Blatter and Al Thani also reviewed the progress of the projects related to the organisation of the tournament.

“It was great to see his and Qatar’s commitment to use the 2022 FIFA World Cup to achieve positive social change and to promote the host country and region,” said Blatter.

“Qatar takes its responsibility as hosts seriously.”

The Gulf state faced a number of concerns since it won the hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup in 2010.

Qatar has been periodically accused of corruption that has prompted FIFA to launch an investigation into the claims last year.

FIFA appointed former US attorney Michael Garcia to head the investigation into the allegations of bribery in the awarding of both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar.

The report will be submitted by September this year, the football governing body said. If found guilty of charges, Qatar could also be stripped of the rights to host the World Cup which might in turn slow down economic growth over the next few years.