Qatar 2022: FIFA welcomes the adoption of a new migrant workers' rights law

"FIFA welcomed today the major steps announced by the State of Qatar in the area of workers' rights. The adoption of Law No. 18 of 2020 (on 30/08/2020) is a landmark decision as it removes the need for migrant workers to obtain their employer's permission to change jobs while also establishing, for the first time in the region, a non-discriminatory minimum wage," said the international federation on 01/09/2020.

"The International Labour Organization (ILO), which played a crucial role in bringing about these important changes, commented that the reform 'effectively dismantles the kafala sponsorship system (see below) and marks the beginning of a new era for the Qatari labour market'," added FIFA.

The kafala is a system of "sponsorship" which concerns all foreigners who have a work permit: they are, in most cases, deprived of their freedom of movement after confiscation of their passport by the "sponsor" who has previously allowed them to come and work in the country.

"Well before kick-off (opening match scheduled on 21/11/2022), this important milestone demonstrates the capacity of…