Islamabad (News advertisment. DW. 07 December 2021) According to this Norwegian football club called Tromoso IL, for the first time in the world they have made football jerseys with QR code. The jerseys will raise awareness of human rights abuses in Qatar ahead of next year's World Cup.
Qatar has been accused of remaining silent on abuses against migrant workers.
Many of these migrants have been working to build the World Cup stadium and its infrastructure.
What is the purpose of the jersey?
The team developed the jersey in collaboration with Amnesty International and a former immigrant working in Qatar.It contains a QR code that, when scanned from a mobile phone,takes users to a website with information on alleged human rights abuses in the 2022 World Cup host country, Qatar.
The website highlights the plight of workers from other countries, including Bangladesh, the Philippines, India and Nepal, who have come to the country in search of work. They are building stadiums, subways, roads and other infrastructure.
About 90% of Qatar's population is made up of immigrants who do not have citizenship. Apart from working as taxi drivers and security guards, these people also work in other service industries.
"By doing so, we hope there will be more discussion and more dialogue," said Tom Hoagley, the club's public relations chief and a former player for the club.We want to see more action. "
Amnesty has the most concerns about the 'sponsorship system'. Immigrant employees cannot get rid of their employer through this system.
They can't change jobs easily and their mobility is limited. Their salaries can be withheld and their accommodation is in a very bad condition. According to Amnesty International, the system violates international human rights law, which is the responsibility of Qatar.
The team will donate the jerseys during a league game next Sunday.
We cannot separate football and politics and we must not turn a blind eye when someone uses our game to cover up human rights abuses," the club said in a statement. The perpetrator of 'sports washing'. The term means to use important sports events to improve one's impression.
According to the club, We can make a difference by uniting. Sports washing should be stopped and the game should be kept clean.
National boycott call rejected
Qatar has rejected any criticism. According to the Middle Eastern country, it has reformed labor laws and introduced a minimum wage. According to Amnesty International, the group has acknowledged Qatar's actions but is still committing atrocities.
The Tromoso club has demanded that Norway boycott the World Cup after its national team reached the final. But the Norwegian federation rejected the idea, but the country's team failed to reach the football World Cup.
The jersey was inspired by the plight of a former Kenyan immigrant. The Qatari administration sent Malcolm Bedali to prison for sharing fake news. An immigrant rights group paid 6,800 and released him several months later.
