EU criticizes Qatar over migrant workers abuse

The European Parliament has criticized Qatar over the exploitation of migrant workers preparing venues for the 2022 World Cup.

The parliament approved a resolution on Thursday, calling on the Persian Gulf state to ensure that any abuses of the migrant workers are ended, the Associated Press reported. It also planned to send a fact-finding mission to Qatar next year, insisting that the alleged abuses should be investigated.

"We cannot allow the 2022 World Cup to be built on slavery," said Hannes Swoboda, president of the Socialists and Democrats Group of MEPs.

The President of world football’s governing body FIFA, Sepp Blatter, described on Wednesday the situation of the workers in Qatar as “unacceptable.”

"Economic and political leaders must contribute to improving the unacceptable situation in Qatar,” he said.

The Persian Gulf state has been pressured to put an end to the exploitation of migrant workers, as it is implementing a multi-billion-dollar construction program as part of preparations for the international football tournament. Amnesty International said in a report on Monday that workers suffer “alarming” levels of exploitation such as dangerous working condition and non-payment of wages in Qatar's construction sector ahead of the important sport event. Amnesty conducted interviews with 210 workers, employers and government officials for its report, called "The Dark Side of Migration." "It is simply inexcusable in one of the richest countries in the world that so many migrant workers are being ruthlessly exploited, deprived of their pay and left struggling to survive," Amnesty’s Secretary General Salil Shetty said.