Dutch national team's World Cup shirts auctioned for migrant workers in Qatar

Virgil van Dijk: "We hope that our presence will contribute to the changes currently underway." - Foto: KNVB Media

The Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) will auction the shirts that the Dutch national team is to wear during the 2022 World Cup. After consultation with the players, it is decided that the total proceeds from the online auction is used to improve the situation of migrant workers in Qatar.

Captain Virgil van Dijk said: "It has not escaped anyone's notice that facilitating the tournament has had a huge impact on migrant workers in Qatar. They have worked on stadiums, infrastructure and hotel accommodation under very harsh conditions. We will remember that during all our activities there. It is clear to everyone that those conditions really need to improve."

The captain of the Dutch team expects the World Cup to trigger something in Qatar. "We hope that our presence will contribute to the changes currently underway. Much has already been done from the boardrooms to improve the situation of migrant workers. But we also want to make a concrete contribution from the dressing room. Firstly, by drawing attention to their situation here on this world stage, and also by using the proceeds from the auction of our match shirts to co-fund the ongoing improvements."

Auction

You can bid for the shirts at MatchWornShirt.com. The auction will begin straight after the first whistle is blown at a Dutch World Cup match and will run until the kick-off of the next match (or auction).

The first auction will not take place during the World Cup group stage match between Senegal and the Netherlands. The shirts worn by the Dutch team in the UEFA Nations League matches with Poland and Belgium were already auctioned in September. This raised over €50,000, which will be used to support migrant workers in Qatar.

FNV

Trade union FNV, which in collaboration with its international partner BWI (Building and Wood Workers' International in Switzerland) has worked with migrant workers in Qatar for a long time now, is asked to ensure that the proceeds are actually used to improve the situation of the workers. BWI is familiar with the ongoing issues in the region and is in direct contact with migrant workers. The money raised from the auctioned shirts will be used to protect migrant workers' rights. The money is also going to be used to provide legal assistance and personal development for the migrant workers, as well as fund social activities such as football.

The initiative aligns with the KNVB's efforts, which also focus on a better future for migrant workers. The league's efforts have been dubbed the 'Football Supports Change'. 18 months ago, at the start of the qualifying process for the World Cup in Qatar, this title already graced the chest of the Dutch international team as it entered the field. Denmark and Belgium followed suit.

The OneLove captain's armband, a Dutch initiative to promote connection and denounce any form of discrimination, has been adopted by seven European World Cup participants.

KNVB

The KNVB was not in favour of the World Cup being held in Qatar and has been working for several years now to improve the human rights situation there. Both independently and together with other football associations, diplomatic influence has been deployed and frequent talks were held with the World Cup organising committee, FIFA, human rights organisations, international trade unions, the Dutch embassy and the authorities in Qatar. Partly thanks to diplomatic pressure from trade unions, human rights organisations, football associations and developments within the country itself, Qatar has introduced drastic changes to key laws that form part of the notorious kafala system.

The changes introduced include no longer being permitted to work in the sun during the hottest hours of the day, a minimum wage, migrant workers being allowed to transfer to other employers and digital monitoring of salary payments. However, Qatari employers' full compliance with the new laws remains a concern. A wish list is also being finalised that aims to safeguard human rights after the World Cup.

Football Supports Change More information about the KNVB's efforts to improve the situation of migrant workers in Qatar is available here.