World Cup stadium workers ‘had their money stolen and lives ruined’, says rights group

Report on conditions in Qatar alleges labour abuses are widespread and calls on Fifa to set up compensation fund

Migrant workers who constructed stadiums for the World Cup in Qatar have endured persistent and widespread labour rights violations", which include nationality-based discrimination, illegal recruitment practices and, in some cases, unpaid wages, according to allegations in a new report by human rights group Equidem.

While the report also documents a number of cases of good practice, including adequate channels for reporting concerns with working conditions", good access to healthcare, satisfactory safety measures and decent living conditions, Equidem's findings conclude that Qatar has been a hostile environment" for stadium workers.