The Norwegian Football magazine Josimar recently published their shocking investigative research into the working conditions at the Zenit Arena football stadium in St. Petersburg, uncovering that
– Migrant workers have been discriminated against and treated unfairly, i.e. not paid fairly and according to contract,
– Dangerous work conditions have resulted in deaths and accidents,
– About 100 North Koreans work on the site in forced labor-like conditions.
Which measures have FIFA, and UEFA, undertaken to ensure compliance with proper work standards and conditions in the operations associated with the FIFA World Cup and Confederations Cup in the Russian Federation? UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has refused to answer this question on several occasions.
FIFA has established an independent advisory board composed of international experts that shall provide FIFA with advice on human rights relevant issues, and strategies that are intended to strengthen the efforts to deliver on human rights commitments. Investigation into the allegations of slave labour in St. Petersburg is a natural place to demonstrate the depth of these efforts.