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HRW calls out Qatar, FIFA over 'callous' response to OFW's death


International watchdog Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticized the authorities of Qatar and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) over their “callous” response about the death of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) during the ongoing World Cup.

“The tragic death of a Filipino migrant worker, Alex, his surname unknown, at a World Cup site in Qatar should have been treated humanely,” the HRW said in a statement.

“But FIFA and Qatari authorities responded callously to media questions about his death, returning the spotlight to their disregard for the deaths of thousands of migrant workers in the years leading up to the tournament,” it added, citing instances where Qatar World Cup chief executive Nasser al-Khater and FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura allegedly made callous remarks.

The HRW also called out the Qatari Supreme Committee for its supposed quick denial that the Filipino worker's death was under its jurisdiction even though at the time of the accident the worker was repairing FIFA infrastructure.

“This shameful government attitude towards migrant worker deaths is reflected in the authorities’ failure to investigate the thousands of migrant worker deaths since 2010. It also ignores that many of these deaths were preventable,” HRW said.

Citing a media report, HRW said the Filipino worker died after falling at his worksite at a FIFA training base.

World Cup host Qatar earlier said it is already investigating the death of the OFW.

The death of the man in his 40s was first reported on Wednesday by The Athletic sports website. It said the man fell off a ramp while repairing lights at a resort used as a training base by Saudi Arabia's national football team.

According to the report, the Filipino worker had not been wearing a harness. It did not specify the date of the accident.

The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs told AFP that its embassy in Doha was looking into the case, without providing additional details.

World football's governing body FIFA said it was "deeply saddened by this tragedy." —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News

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