The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) called on the Gulf state of Qatar to do more to uphold workers’ rights as it begins a building boom for the 2022 World Cup. In a report issued on the last day of May entitled “Hidden Faces of the Gulf Miracle,” the ITUC, along with the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), say hundreds of thousands of migrant workers, mostly from Asia, work in construction across the Gulf states.

But, the report states, they are burdened by huge debts to employment agencies in their home countries and prohibitions on trade unions in Gulf states such as Qatar. The report questions the safety practices in constructing the stadiums and infrastructure for the games, as well as inhumane living conditions.

BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson

“Just 6% of the working population of Qatar is Qatari,” said BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson. “Their economy and their ability to deliver the World Cup are totally dependent on severe exploitation of migrant labour, which we believe to be barely above forced labour conditions.”

Officials connected to the ruling family in Qatar have taken note of the report and have promised to investigate the labour concerns. The full report can be found here.