The revelations regarding the working conditions of foreign workers in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup and now in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup infrastructure projects are deeply concerning. The reports suggest inhumane treatment, akin to slavery, for migrant workers involved in these projects.
In the case of Sao Paulo airport’s modernization project, RFI’s investigation uncovered distressing conditions for migrant workers. The 111 employees, described as being treated “like animals,” were reportedly living without access to running water and lacked a fixed salary. The Brazilian state intervened, releasing these workers on Friday and sending them back to their places of origin. Each worker allegedly received compensation of around 2,000 euros.
Renato Bignami, the head of the forced labor eradication program, shed light on the workers’ ordeal, explaining that they were transported in clandestine buses, for which they had to pay between 100 and 150 euros. In return, promises of jobs in Sao Paulo were made.
These revelations highlight the urgent need for attention to the rights and working conditions of migrant workers involved in large-scale construction projects related to major international sporting events. The exploitation of vulnerable workers is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by both the host countries and the international organizations associated with these events.
