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equirements for World Cup-related construction, and clear and public pledges to
undertake certain concrete measures to prevent, mitigate, and address abuses of worker
rights that are prevalent in Qatar and could otherwise arise in World Cup construction
projects. In response, the Supreme Committee informed us that that it aims to ensure
working conditions that meet or exceed international standards and that under its threeyear
strategic plan it had pledged to improve conditions for construction workers generally
as well as to establish minimum standards for workers involved with the World Cup, in
relation to such issues as pay, health, and safety. The Supreme Committee added that it
had already begun the process of drafting both employee rights’ policies and determining
the workers’ rights commitments it will require from companies hired to carry out World
Cup contracts, and said that it hoped the initiative would serve as a catalyst for positive
change. While this is a welcome response, the Supreme Committee did not address the
recommendation that it make specific, concrete, and public commitments to address the
problems of migrant workers as outlined in this report.
CH2M HILL, for its part, responded by stressing its strong commitment to respect and
protect workers’ human rights, as reflected in company ethics and business principles,
which include a “zero-tolerance policy for the use of forced labor or other human
trafficking practices.” The company noted that they were working with the Supreme
Committee to develop “mandatory contract language and assurance protocols” to address
standards for workers at Qatar 2022 World Cup sites. The company emphasized, however,
that the construction projects its client directly oversees are for competition venues and
other sports-related facilities which are not yet under construction, and that its
commitments to establish labor standards relate to such sites. CH2M HILL’s reply did not
make clear what measures, if any, the Supreme Committee might apply in relation to World
Cup-related construction projects for which it plays a coordinating role, although Human
Rights Watch’s letter included specific queries about this and other issues. Nor did the
company address the recommendation that it publicly pledge to address the various
workers’ rights problems raised in our research.
In addition, Human Rights Watch contacted companies who have construction
management responsibilities for the World Cup-related locations where workers alleged
abuses as described in this report: the Aspire Zone and the new Doha International Airport.
Human Rights Watch shared information on the alleged abuses, reported by workers who
said they were hired by contractors operating on those sites or by employment agencies,
11 HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | JUNE 2012