Qatar sought to allay widespread concerns about conditions for migrant workers on World Cup building projects by detailing on Tuesday how their rights must be protected by contractors.
[b]Bobby McCain Jersey[/b] . Rights group Amnesty International called the charter a "positive, if partial" step, but the International Trade Union Confederation called it a "sham," and complained that 2022 World Cup leaders have not demanded changes in Qatars labour laws despite mounting criticism from rights groups. Qatari organizers released the charter after being ordered by FIFA to explain by this week how working and living conditions for workers building the venues for the Middle Easts first World Cup are improving. The 50-page document fleshes out the basic welfare obligations that were published last year. Within it are the requirements for employment contracts, payment, medical care and living conditions, including the meals and bedrooms that must be provided. Employers must also allow workers to retain their passports and cover the cost of their costs to return home at the end of their contract. "In our experience enforcement (of the standards) is almost always the stumbling block," Amnesty researcher James Lynch said in a statement. Lynch stressed that only a "relatively small proportion" of workers are covered by the charter. Only companies building World Cup venues must abide by it, rather than those with government contracts for the wider infrastructure projects that are required to handle an influx of players, fans and media. Just 38 construction workers are currently employed by World Cup organizers, building the Al Wakrah Stadium south of the capital Doha. The labour force will rapidly rise as a dozen stadiums and training camps for the 32 competing teams are built from scratch or renovated. The International Trade Union Confederation is troubled by the charters failure to address the sweltering summer working conditions when temperatures can hit 50 degrees (120F). "It promises health and safety but provides no credible enforcement," ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said. "It promises employment standards but gives migrant workers no rights to collectively bargain or join a trade union. It promises equality but does not provide a guarantee of a minimum wage." The ITUC is urging the Qatari government to abolish the "kafala" employment system, which stops workers from leaving the country without written permission from employers. FIFA executive committee member Theo Zwanziger, who is working with the ITUC to resolve concerns about Qatar, will face questioning on their progress at the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday. Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general of the World Cup organizing committee, insisted that the tournament will be a catalyst for change in Qatar. "(It) will leave a legacy of enhanced, sustainable and meaningful progress in regards to worker welfare across the country," Al Thawadi said.
[b]Larry Csonka Jersey[/b] . On Monday night, many fans in this city placed the blame squarely on the captain for his role in the James Neal overtime winner against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
[b]Akeem Spence Jersey[/b] . The Spanish champions decision not to sign a defender during the January transfer window may have backfired after Valencia took advantage of a lethargic, uninspired effort by its hosts at the Camp Nou, where former Spain coach Luis Aragones -- who previously coached the Catalan side -- was honoured after his death on Saturday.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - With straight faces, the New England Patriots always find something to praise about their next opponent, no matter how bad that teams record may be.Theyve got a real good defence, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said Wednesday. Were anticipating their best game.We have to play our best football to win, defensive end Chandler Jones said, and I truly believe that.Even when the opponent is the New York Jets?At least theres evidence that the Patriots (11-3) could be in a close game on the road against the Jets (3-11) on Sunday.Four of the last five matchups have been decided by three points or fewer.I know the records are what they are, but we dont look at it like that, Brady said. We lost going into the Meadowlands last year.That meeting was the only one of the past five that the Jets won. And it took a penalty on a new rule for them to accomplish that.Nick Folk missed a 56-yard field goal attempt in overtime last year, but defensive tackle Chris Jones was called for pushing a teammate into the opponents formation. Folk tried again and connected from 42 yards for a 30-27 victory.Folk had another chance to beat the Patriots this season when he lined up for a 58-yard attempt on the final play. This time, Jones blocked it and New England won 27-25.Their first meeting last year that wasnt decided until Aqib Talib intercepted Geno Smiths pass with 38 seconds remaining.Both teams struggled on offence in that game, combining for 24 first downs. And quarterbacks Brady and Smith each had a completion rate of less than 50 per cent.They always play us tough since Ive been here in 2009, defensive end Rob Ninkovich said. I know the day after I play those guys Im pretty sore.In this years game in Foxborough, the Jets rushed for 218 yards and held an advantage of more than 2-to-1 in time of possession.Since then, the Patriots are 6-1 with five of the wins by at least 22 points.
[b]Mike Hull Jersey[/b]. The Jets have lost three games by at least 20.I dont know why those scores go the way they do against other teams, Brady said. Against us, they always seem to be close. You just dont want to go down there and have a bunch of poor execution like weve done in the past.The Jets have been competitive recently, starting with a 20-13 win over Pittsburgh. Since then, they were routed by Buffalo 38-3 then played three close games, losses of 16-13 to Miami and 30-24 to Minnesota in overtime before beating Tennessee 16-11.The Patriots can clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs if they win and Denver loses Monday night at Cincinnati. The Broncos (11-3) lost this season to the Patriots, the first tiebreaker.So whats a greater motivation? Staying atop the AFC or beating a division rival?I think the fact that it is the Jets, special teams captain Matthew Slater said. You dont have any problem getting up for these guys.Or, according to coach Bill Belichick, for any opponent.Our biggest rival is whoever we play that week, he said.NOTES: The Patriots signed tight end Steve Maneri to the 53-man roster and placed defensive tackle Dominique Easley on injured reserve. Maneri was an offensive lineman on the 2010 Patriots practice squad and spent part of training camp with them this season. Easley was a first-round draft pick this year from Florida. ... Quarterback Garrett Gilbert was signed to the practice squad. The St. Louis Rams drafted him in the sixth round from Southern Methodist this year and released him on Oct. 28. ... Slater is one of eight finalists for the NFLs new Sportsmanship Award. Thats very humbling for me, he said. There are a lot of great character men in this league.___AP NFL website:
www.pro32.ap.org and
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