Qatar's World Cup Venues Built With Forced Labor

Amnesty International is accusing Qatar of using forced labor and allowing other worker uses to build venues for the 2022 World Cup, in what the rights group called a "stain on world football."

In a report released Thursday the London-based organization said it interviewed 132 construction workers at the Khalifa International Stadium, one of several being built to host the games. The workers, all migrants, all reported abuse, which Amnesty described as "systematic."

Some workers lived in cramped and dirty living quarters and were not paid for months at a time. When they were compensated, it was often much less than originally promised. Many of the migrants were unable to leave the country because their passports were confiscated or they were not issued exit permits. In many cases, the workers were threatened if they complained about the abuse.

Rights groups have long accused Qatar of labor violations, but this is the first report to tie abuses to construction on World Cup venues.

"The abuse of migrant workers is a stain on the conscience of world football," Amnesty Secretary General Salil Shetty said. "For players and fans, a World Cup stadium is a place of dreams. For some workers who spoke to us, it can feel like a living nightmare."

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