December 6 – The Belgian FA (RBFA) has defended FIFA’s position about compensation (or the lack of it) to migrant workers in Qatar.
Last week, FIFA revealed plans for a legacy fund in cooperation with various UN agencies, but the $50 million fund failed to address the question of compensation for migrant workers whose labour and suffering made the World Cup in Qatar possible.
Instead, on Friday, late into night, FIFA published the Qatar report of its own subcommittee on human rights and social responsibility but ignored the key recommendation: to provide compensation.
That course of action has not dissuaded the Belgian FA to back FIFA.
In a statement, the RBFA said: “FIFA’s initiative takes into account various proposed measures and is supported by internationally recognised organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. Although not all proposals have been adopted, the KBVB believes that the initiatives taken make an important contribution to supporting those involved, both inside and outside Qatar.”
The statement does not distinguish between the legacy fund and the Qatar report, and fails to mention ‘migrant workers’.
It’s the second notable statement from the RBFA in a matter of days. Even before FIFA had released the 2034 World Cup bid evaluation, the Belgian FA congratulated Saudi Arabia: “The bid of the Saudi Federation proves that the organizers want to do everything to create a strong tournament in ten years, with respect for the international guidelines. As a football association, we appreciate this commitment. We wish them every success in organizing this global event, in cooperation with FIFA and the local stakeholders.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734894855labto1734894855ofdlr1734894855owedi1734894855sni@i1734894855tnuk.1734894855ardni1734894855mas1734894855