Dennis Maga: Fifa human and labour rights abuses taint U-20 World Cup

FIFA President Sepp Blatter will step down as head of the sport's governing body. Photo / AP

While a near capacity audience packed North Harbour Stadium for the opening game of the Fifa U-20 World Cup, the event is being overshadowed by news that Fifa President Sepp Blatter will step down as head of the sport's governing body.

Even before that, accusations of bribery to support Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup raised questions around whether New Zealand was right to bid for the Under-20 World Cup.

Have we bought our way into a racket?

Unions and human rights organisations have long-campaigned against the human rights abuses Fifa has left in its wake.

Over a third of Qatar's one-and-a-half million migrant workers are in the construction sector, including building World Cup infrastructure. Qatar's "kafala" system of migrant labour has been likened to slavery and forced labour; employer permission is required to change jobs, leave the country, rent a home, or get a driver's licence.

Migrant workers don't receive the same legal protection under labour law as Qatari nationals: they are denied the right to join a trade union and late or non-payment of wages is common. One worker reported working 14-hour days for nine months without a day off. Squalid conditions, blazing temperatures and unrealistic demands are all in a day's work.

More than 1200 workers have died on World Cup construction sites and another 2800 fatalities are estimated before kick-off. The Qatari Government even reportedly refused bereavement leave to the estimated 400,000 Nepalese workers who wished to return home to mourn victims of the earthquake.

But migrant worker abuse in the construction sector is not unique to Qatar. The Christchurch rebuild is increasingly being staffed with migrant workers.

Filipino workers are being recruited in great numbers, favoured because of their good English, their reluctance to join unions and their willingness to work long hours for little pay.

Our organisation, the Union Network of Migrants, has been approached by many Filipino migrant workers complaining of oppressive contracts, humiliating living conditions and unpaid wages. It is sad to see some New Zealand employers taking advantage of migrant workers whose employment status renders them vulnerable to exploitation.

Lately, the Government has been active in addressing many of our concerns around exploitation. More labour inspectors have been hired, penalties for exploitation have been increased, and labour hire companies now have a series of registration requirements. Yet while government action is critical, there will always be a role for communities in combating migrant worker exploitation and creating an environment in which migrant workers are accepted.

Part of this role includes advocating for the rights of migrant workers here and in the rest of the world. By welcoming Fifa into New Zealand we are ignoring the fact the 2022 World Cup has been built on serious human and labour rights abuses. Football can cross cultural and social boundaries, however we must force football's institutions to uphold human and labour rights.

• Dennis Maga is a senior organiser at FIRST Union and the co-ordinator of the Union Network of Migrants. He appears regularly in the media and has a long activist history. He is a Filipino-New Zealander.