ITUC

Refugee Footballer Hakeem al-Araibi Freed

The ITUC has welcomed the release of refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi from prison in Thailand and his return to his place of asylum, Australia. His release followed an unprecedented campaign led by sports players, their unions and the ITUC Australian affiliate ACTU, with governments, global unions, human rights groups and international sports federations FIFA and […]

ITUC, BWI and ITF Welcome End of Exit Permits for 1.5 Million Migrant Workers in Qatar

The ITUC, the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have welcomed the announcement by Qatar on 4 September of new legislation which means migrant workers covered by the Labour Code will not have to seek their employer’s permission to leave the country. Law No. 13 of 2018 amends […]

FIFA – North America World Cup in 2026 a New Test for Human Rights

FIFA’s award of the 2026 World Cup to the “United” bid of Canada, Mexico and the USA will provide a further test of FIFA’s human rights commitments, with the inclusion of mandatory human rights requirements, including labour standards, in the bidding process. FIFA delegates meeting in Russia on 13 June chose the United bid ahead […]

Iran: FIFA Called on to Enforce Human Rights and non-Discrimination Policy

The International Trade Union Confederation, along with several union and civil society organisations, is calling on FIFA to ensure that its human rights policy is fully respected, and ensure that Iran ends its ban on women attending men’s football matches. The ITUC and the Building and Woodworkers’ International BWI, Human Rights Watch, the Centre for […]

ILO Decision Heralds New Era for Workers’ Rights in Qatar. Saudi Arabia and the UAE Must Follow Its Lead

The International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) decision to close the complaint against Qatar, following the government’s commitments to dismantle the kafala system and end modern slavery, signals a new era for workers’ rights in the country. “Qatar has set a new standard for the Gulf States, and this must be followed by Saudi Arabia and the […]

Olympics: Revised Host City Contract to Include Human Rights

The move by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to incorporate human rights principles in its Host City Contract in accordance with recommendations made by a coalition of rights, athletes’ and transparency organisations could help prevent major abuses by future Olympic hosts, the Sports and Rights Alliance said today. The revised Host City Contract was finalised […]