BWI releases report on inspections of Qatar FIFA World Cup stadium construction

The Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) has officially released a five-year report detailing its engagement in joint health and safety inspections on stadium and related infrastructure projects with Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC). In addition to its annual reporting on the initiative, it outlines the methodology, health and safety concerns, and action at worksites in greater depth. 

BWI stated that its collaboration with the SC, which is guided by a Memorandum of Understanding, can serve as a model for future mega-sporting events that can be tailored to local conditions. According to the report, cooperation between BWI and the SC, and the subsequent creation of a form of worker representation, might be its greatest contribution to the enforcement of labour reforms and policies in the general absence of protection of fundamental workers' rights through ratification and enforcement of fundamental ILO labor conventions. 

According to BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson, worker involvement will be easier to organise where workers have trade union representatives. He urged FIFA to build on these gains for future tournaments. “FIFA should build upon these results to institutionalise joint inspection mechanisms by BWI in partnership with the host countries in future tournaments. This will help to guarantee that national and international labour standards are fully respected,” he said. 

Download the full report. EN  ES