Beyond the game: The human cost of mega
sporting events.
More
than just a game
|
Mega sporting events like the Olympics, the FIFA World Cup, and other global tournaments are celebrated as triumphs of athleticism, unity, and national pride. But behind the spectacle, these events often leave a troubling legacy of human rights violations, displacement, and exploitation.
What’s at Stake?
FREEDOM
Freedom to Organize: Workers facing intimidation and legal barriers to unionization.
Fair Wages
Fair Wages & Conditions: Rising inequality and corporate power undermining fair pay.
EXCLUSION
Mega sporting events often restrict the rights of migrant workers who build sporting infrastructures.
Take a look at our active campaigns
FIFA Blocks Global Union Labour Inspections in Mexico
FIFA is once again putting profit over people. While the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar allowed joint inspections to ensure safe working conditions and decent work standards, in Mexico, corporate interests are blocking democratic unions.
Saudi Arabia’s FIFA 2034 World Cup
A flawed human rights assessment of Saudi Arabia’s FIFA 2034 World Cup bid by AS&H Clifford Chance - part of the global partnership of London-based law firm Clifford Chance - leaves the global firm at risk of being linked to abuses which result from the tournament, 11 organisations said today.
Discover our past campaigns
Qatar: 2023 Migrant Workers Cup
Many workers reportedly died from heat stress and other work-related causes while building World Cup infrastructure.
FIFA Report on Qatar 2022
The report reviews FIFA’s human rights responsibilities towards the workers who delivered the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Paris 2024 Olympics sets new standards
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games (OPGs) are heralding a transformative era in the organisation of major sporting events.
What can be done?
ACT NOW.
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Find all resources regarding the cost of mega sporting events.
Here, you'll find policy documents, reports, and key resources on labor exploitation in mega sporting events, corporate and government accountability, workers' testimonies, and the actions needed to demand justice and fair conditions.
Adapting to the Heat – 2025 Edition
A comprehensive report on existing global responses to protect workers in construction, building materials, wood, and forestry industries from rising temperatures (June 2025).
TOO HOT TO WORK
Eyes on the campaign goals focusing on extreme heat and its impact on workers, its global mitigation, and BWI actions toward COP30 and BWI 6th World Congress.
Protecting Migrant Workers in an Overheating Planet
A policy paper serving as a comprehensive guide on how governments and global industry leaders can implement measures to safeguard the rights of migrant workers in the face of escalating climate impacts (November 2023).
HEAT UP WORKERS RIGHTS MEDIA RESOURCES
Posters, factsheets, videos, etc...
