Over 23,000 Security Men are Needed During the World Cup Qatar 2022

During a high-profile human rights webinar hosted by the Centre for Sport & Human Rights and the International Code of Conduct Association, Executive Director of the Supreme Committee’s Workers Welfare Department Mahmoud Qutub, who is also Advisor to the Chairperson on Workers Welfare & Labour Rights at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, spoke about the legacy Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup will leave.

Qutub emphasized the SC's progress in establishing welfare standards and initiatives for workers, which are serving as a benchmark for the construction sector in Qatar and the region and are now being implemented in other sectors to protect all workers involved in the delivery of the tournament, during the panel discussion titled Mega Sporting Events, Private Security, and Human Rights: The FIFA World Cup & Commonwealth Games.

"The SC has implemented steps to benefit the many thousands of people working in executing projects for the FIFA World Cup over the last decade," Qutub remarked. "These projects have improved recruitment methods as well as a variety of health and safety-related areas, such as heat stress avoidance. We are delighted that our work is regarded as a gold standard in Qatar and that it has aided countless construction businesses and others in raising standards." Qutub went on to talk about Qatar's dedication to assisting private security professionals.

He went on to say that the SC's Workers Welfare Standards protect security personnel's rights on all SC projects and that there are strict monitoring and enforcement procedures in place to ensure contractors follow the standards.

He stated, " "Over 23,000 security people are expected to be involved in the tournament, and they will play a crucial role in ensuring that fans, players, and officials have a safe and secure experience. We acknowledge the enormous responsibility that our security personnel has and the demanding nature of this sector, and we, as a corporation, share an equal obligation in guaranteeing their rights, well-being, and safety, in partnership with national stakeholders and FIFA." Security staff on SC projects benefit from ground-breaking initiatives that have been pushed out to the rest of the workforce, such as recruiting fee refund, centralized housing, and access to grievance mechanisms including a dedicated grievance hotline and Workers Welfare Forums. The SC organizes forums to give workers a voice.

Qutub also praised the SC's collaboration with Qatar's Ministry of Labor in addressing unique difficulties in the industry, such as working hours and ethical recruitment.

He stated: "Human rights must be maintained throughout the tournament's security supply chain, and awareness and coordination are essential. To create long-term reform in this sector, we continue to interact with security service contractors and their employees, as well as critical stakeholders. We are committed to leaving a lasting legacy for worker welfare, and the World Cup has allowed us to lay the groundwork for previously inconceivable best practices in the region." Qutub was on the panel with David Grevemberg, the Centre for Sports and Human Rights' Chief Innovation and Partnerships Officer, Eddy Stam, Uni Global Union's Head of Property Services Department, and Nuala Walsh, the Founder and CEO of MindEquity.