Zurich/Doha: A Bangladeshi man who says he was harshly exploited while working on 2022 World Cup facilities in Qatar is suing FIFA for allegedly failing to use its influence to ensure workers are treated fairly.

The Gulf state has faced criticism of its treatment of foreign workers from Amnesty International, the Building and Wood Workers’ International organisation and others.

But the case announced on Monday is the first time football’s world governing body has been targeted.

The suit, launched in FIFA’s home city Zurich with the backing of the largest labour union in the Netherlands, calls on FIFA to force Qatar to adopt ‘minimum labour standards’ for migrant workers preparing for the tournament, including at least the right to quit a job or leave the country.

Leading the Swiss suit is 21-year-old Nadim Shariful Alam, seeking around $11,500 in compensation for a deal in which he paid $4,000 to a recruiter.

On arrival in Qatar, his passport was taken away and he was forced to work for 18 months under harsh conditions, according to a draft letter to be filed with Zurich’s Trade Court.

He unloaded ships carrying construction materials, and paid for meals at the large workers’ camp where he was confined.

He says he was then fired and deported, having earned too little to even repay the original recruitment fee.

Education Campaign

A Qatar government spokesman had no immediate comment. It has previously denied exploiting workers and says it is implementing labour reforms.

A FIFA spokeswoman confirmed receiving a legal letter laying out the case. She said FIFA’s ‘position on this matter is well-known’, pointing to plans under discussion to set up a group to monitor working conditions in Qatar.

The Dutch Federation of Trade Unions (FNV) said FIFA should take responsibility, as it has the power to grant or withhold hosting deals and a history of demanding concessions from hosts.

‘In Qatar they’re going to allow beer, allow alcohol in the country during the World Cup. Can you imagine, in a Muslim country?’ FNV lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld said. Public drinking is usually banned but will be permitted in ‘fanzones’ during the tournament.

‘How difficult would it be for them to say that all companies that don’t pay adequately, that force people to remain in the country when they want to leave, will face large fines?’

It is likely to be more than a year before there is a judgment in the case, she said.

On Monday Qatar’s government launched a campaign to educate foreign workers about imminent reforms of its labour laws.

Under the ‘kafala’ system, foreign workers are required to seek their employer’s consent to change jobs or leave the country. From December, workers will be able to appeal to the government if they are not allowed to leave the country.

Critics say workers will still find it hard to change jobs or travel.

Gas-rich Qatar is pursuing a $200 billion infrastructure upgrade and has recruited hundreds of thousands of workers from countries such as India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

Foreign workers outnumber the local workforce by nearly 20 to one and can be jailed or deported for forming unions or holding protests.