Amnesty International blasted Qatar yesterday for failing to deliver on reforms for its migrant workers, even though the 2022 World Cup hosts promised to improve working conditions a year ago.

Since Qatar was controversially awarded the tournament back in 2010, hundreds of workers have died constructing highways, hotels, stadiums and skyscrapers.

A new report from the London-based rights group slammed the Gulf nation for its inadequate attempts changing labour issues, including the “kafala” sponsorship system which sees workers needing permission to leave the country and is meant to be abolished by the end of the year.

“The reality is that more than a year and a half after Amnesty highlighted rampant exploitation of migrants, little has been done to address the root causes of this abuse,” said Amnesty’s gulf migrant rights researcher Mustafa Qadri.

“We are one year closer to Qatar’s 2022 World Cup — time for changes to be implemented is running out.

“Without prompt action, the pledges Qatar made last year are at serious risk of being dismissed as a mere public relations stunt to ensure the Gulf state can cling on to the 2022 World Cup.”

Qatar did issue a response to the report, with their ministry saying: “We are all dealing with the unique challenges brought about by rapid economic growth and the high population of expatriate workers seeking better opportunities.”

But Qadri pointed out that there needs to be more urgency on the part of the nation.

“With Qatar’s construction boom continuing and the migrant worker population set to expand to 2.5 million, the need for urgent reform is more pressing than ever,” he added.

Fifa welcomed the report, which was released days after three of their main sponsors — Adidas, Coca-Cola and Visa — pressured football’s governing body and Qatar to improve working conditions.

“Fifa has repeatedly urged publicly and with the highest authorities in Qatar that fair working conditions for all workers in Qatar are imperative,” a statement said.

But Qadri also feels that Fifa has squandered days and millions of pounds worrying about whether to play the tournament in the Winter, rather then focusing on the real issue, exploitation of migrant workers.

“Fifa has spent much time, money and political capital investigating alleged corruption in the Russia and Qatar World Cup bids, and agonising over the scheduling of the tournament,” said Qadri.

“But the organisation has yet to demonstrate any real commitment to ensuring Qatar 2022 is not built on a foundation of exploitation and abuse.”