Edited by: Enrico Mancini, enrico.mancini@positive-magazine.com
Where: Qatar
Architecture: Zaha Hadid, AECOM
Proofreading: Bianca Baroni
Yes, I said vagina. Because that’s how the new 2022 World Cup Al-Wakrah stadium in Qatar looks like, isn’t it?
Actually it’s one of the last Zaha Hadid’s masterpiece, and as we’ve already learned, her works are pretty controversial.
But this time there’s a reason to hate this Zaha’s design that goes behind the common envying architect’s comments like “that’s not context-aware!” or “there are no seats in that museum!”.
According to a new Amnesty International report, it’s being built with “modern day slavery”.
The report, The Dark Side of Migration: Spotlight on Qatar’s Construction Sector Ahead of the World Cup, is based on interviews with more than 200 workers and dozens of employers.
One interviewee—an employer—describes the workers as “cattle,” while outside groups describe the situation as “modern-day slavery.” Some human rights groups are calling for FIFA to revoke the right to host the World Cup altogether. “With Qatar and its construction sector in the international spotlight for the next decade as the 2022 World Cup approaches, the state’s failure to protect workers’ rights threatens to severely affect the country’s international reputation,” AI concludes. “Only fundamental change—including bold reforms backed with political will from the very top of the government—will address the issues documented in this report.”
The size of this issue is well defined by the fact that, according to the report, Qatar’s population is increasing by 20 people an hour, most of them are workers from countries like Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. In fact, 94 per cent of construction in Qatar is done by migrant workers, who are promised a steady wage and a safe place to live.
The other fact is that Al Wakrah stadium is only one of nine World Cup stadiums the government is planning to build over the next nine years to prepare for the event.
Soon we’ll see what if FIFA is strong enough to put pressure on Qatar’s government to adapt their laws to the international standards.
@Enrico_Mancini
