Aberdeen Trade Union Council’s motion called for a high profile campaign to keep
up the pressure on the Qatari government to pay compensation to these workers
and their families.
Moving
the motion, ATUC delegate, Scott Sutherland told
Congress that the motion seeks to consolidate the Qatar resolution adopted at
last year's STUC Conference in Aberdeen.
“The football World Cup is over, but
its legacy remains.” He warned that FIFA and the Qatari Authorities want us to
remember a major sporting event to be proud of.
“However,we remember their legacy
for different reasons. Are they proud of an atrocious human rights record? Homophobia?
Transphobia? Sexism? Lack of Democracy?
“To all these questions and more,
we still have no answers.
“In addition, we will never
forget in excess of 6500 building workers, unnecessarily killed during the
construction of the football stadia.
“Innocent workers, forced to work
in extreme heat with negligent health and safety provisions by the employers
and forced to live in dangerous, sub standard accommodation.
“Our legacy must be to organise
and support the destitute families of all the workers killed. We cannot forget
them.”
He called on the STUC General
Council to raise the profile of the matter and apply relevant pressure on those
concerned.
“Instead of boasting about a
billionaire football tournament, FIFA and the Qatari Authorities must work with
all parties concerned, including the trade union movement to identify all the
families involved and assess and compensate all the families involved, in order
to provide financial assistance and ensure there is no repetition of the disastrous
Qatari event, bearing in mind that Saudi Arabi is now being touted for a future
football World Cup venue.”