GMB called on British construction firms to work with the Philippines Workers Association which launched yesterday, in a bid to prevent any more workers from dying building World Cup stadiums in Qatar.

An estimated 1.7 million migrant workers are still being forced to build the 2022 World Cup stadiums working under the kafala system, which sees workers forced to pay recruitment fees, having their passports confiscated, non-payment of wages as well as health and safety breaches, with over 7,000 workers expected to die before a ball is kicked in seven years.

A new union has been set up with the support of the government of the Philippines in an attempt to create safer working and living conditions for those building the infrastructure for the international football tournament — but unions are illegal in Qatar.

GMB international officer Bert Schouwenburg recently visited Qatar and commented on the “appalling” conditions that workers are forced to live in.

Schouwenburg likened it to the living conditions of “tenement slums in Victorian London” with 10 people sleeping in one room.

He said: “GMB welcomes the formation of a branch of the Federation of Free Workers (Philippines) in the Qatari capital, Doha.

“For too long migrant workers have suffered at the hands of employers who have treated them as little more than slaves, safe in the knowledge that they can act with impunity in the neo-medieval desert kingdom.

“Given that trade unions are illegal in Qatar, this is a brave move by Filipino construction workers and we look forward to migrant workers from other communities following suit.

“GMB stands in solidarity with its trade union comrades in Qatar and calls on British companies operating there to take the lead by engaging in collective bargaining with the new organisation, thus showing that there is a civilised alternative to bonded labour, exploitation and repression.

“This new union is badly needed as sadly Carillion has shown little commitment to cleaning up its act in Qatar.

“Earlier this week I saw at first hand the appalling conditions in a labour camp run by Medtel who are Carillion’s contractor in Qatar. Workers sleep 10 to a room in accommodation reminiscent of tenement slums in Victorian London.

“I was last here two years ago and nothing has changed, despite Carillion’s claims to the contrary.

“Carillion and the other UK construction firms operating in Qatar should recognise and do business with the new Qatari branch of the Philippines Workers Association.”

Alongside United and Ucatt, GMB is taking Carillion to the High Court in London next month as they attempt to seek compensation for blacklisted construction workers. Over 200 construction workers from around Britain have been victims of blacklisting by the construction firm.