Petition to strip Qatar, and its slave labour, of the 2022 World Cup

The decision to award the 2022 FIFA World Cup was always a strange one.  The 50 degree heat, hosted in a tiny country with laws unsuitable for travelling fans being two of the more obvious limitations associated with the venture.  But the decision was made and we accepted the vote.

But surely at this point, it has come to your attention that the infrastructure for the 2022 games in Qatar is being built with slave labour.  Investigators have identified more than 44 Nepalese workers who died in a two-month period, and at least 404 migrant labourers died this year.  An estimated 4,000 will die to construct the stadiums and roads for the World Cup.

Laws in Qatar protect human traffickers to such a degree that no assurances from Qatar, contractors, or FIFA can prevent further abuse. Under their Kafala system, workers essentially face a choice between work and imprisonment, and may not legally quit their jobs or leave the country without their employer’s permission. No promise from FIFA can change that these workers are powerless.

Slavery is morally reprehensible. NZ Football should not support slavery or participate in events produced with slave labour.  The time has come to put a halt to this nonsense.

Please go to FIFA and implore them to reverse this decision.

Please; sign this petition

NOTE: This is part of a global movement to appeal to the various national football bodies.  Most are calling for their associations to boycott the Cup. While that is a noble goal it is felt that is a bit rich coming from New Zealand.  But please sign up.  FIFA needs to understand this is just so wrong.