Qatar: Migrant Workers Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Qatar: Migrant Workers

Lord Dubs Excerpts
Thursday 24th July 2014

(9 years, 10 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Wallace of Saltaire Portrait Lord Wallace of Saltaire
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The British Government of course have discussions with FIFA, but, like the International Olympic Committee, this is an autonomous body with which we have a dialogue, but we are unable to give instructions. We support everything that FIFA is doing to try to improve construction issues in relation to the World Cup 2022 and of course we have many other issues relating to the necessary reform of FIFA.

Lord Dubs Portrait Lord Dubs (Lab)
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Will the Minister confirm that workers are not allowed to join trade unions in Qatar? If they were, might not some of the problems we are talking about be better dealt with?

Lord Wallace of Saltaire Portrait Lord Wallace of Saltaire
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My Lords, the workers charter issued in January refers to including workers’ representatives in forums to discuss labour conditions. I look forward to that being developed.