Human rights group urges FIFA for reforms in Qatar

June 12, 2012: A rights group is urging football's governing body FIFA to push Qatar for reforms on migrant labour policies ahead of the 2022 World Cup, including ending practices that gives companies wide control over workers.

Tuesday's report by Human Rights Watch highlighted rules that allow companies to confiscate workers' passports and restrict the ability to file grievances or stage strikes. The group also is highly critical of the recruitment fees workers pay to get construction jobs in fast-growing Qatar.

Such practices are common across the Gulf, where South Asian workers are the mainstay of the construction industry. But Qatar is facing increased scrutiny because of its massive World Cup projects. On Monday, Qatar's labor minister said a plan to create ``workers' committees'' is awaiting approval by the country's ruler.