Unions and footballers unite for migrant workers' rights

FIFPRO and the Building and Woodworkers’ International (BWI) have signed a cooperation agreement that will give professional footballers concerned about human rights a platform to support the rights of vulnerable workers before, during and after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Through the agreement, the international representative of professional footballers, is aligning with the global trade union of construction workers, which campaigns on behalf of migrant employees in Qatar. The agreement sets out a framework to push for the protection and advancement of employment rights in and around football, and pursue a sustainable and lasting legacy from international tournaments. It will help footballers to engage directly to support worker rights in Qatar and in other countries selected to host a major football competition.

The cooperation between FIFPRO and BWI was announced before a press conference on 12 July on the latter’s 2021 Progress Report titled “Dribble or Goal: Tracking the Score for Decent Work in Qatar.” The report put forward 12 recommendations to complete the migrant labour reforms in Qatar and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

Read FIFPRO's statement here.