Migrant Workers Say Their Work Made World Cup Happen
2022-11-25
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1Thousands of migrant workers took pictures of themselves while watching the opening game of the soccer World Cup in Doha, Qatar
2They were watching from a special fan zone near the workers' area outside the city.
3The area is where hundreds of thousands of Qatar's low-income workers live.
4There were two large television screens set up, one inside the stadium and one set up outside for the additional crowds.
5Ronald Ssenyondo is 25 years old and from Uganda.
6He has been working long hours under the heat in Qatar for two years to finish the stadiums for the World Cup.
7He was cheering for Qatar in the game.
8"We are here to enjoy our sweat now. I am just overwhelmed with the things I'm seeing now," he said.
9Qatar is a rich country with a large natural gas field.
10Most of the country's 2.9 million people are foreign workers, from low-paid laborers to high-powered businessmen.
11Human rights groups have called attention to how laborers are treated and their lack of protection.
12The workers, including the ones who built the stadiums and hotels for the World Cup, are overworked, underpaid, and live in poor conditions.
13The Qatari government has passed labor reforms that include a minimum monthly wage of 1,000 Qatari rials or about $275.
14This amount is more than the laborers usually earn back in their home countries.
15A ticket for the game costs on average about $200. For many laborers, that price is out of reach.
16So, the special fan zone in the industrial area is free for them.
17Ali Jammal is a 26-year-old from Ethiopia.
18He has worked in Qatar for five years.
19He said, "I'm supporting my sisters and brothers in Ethiopia by sending money back, so I'm coming here because tickets are too much."
20During Qatar's game against Ecuador on Sunday, thousands of workers came into the stadium to then be disappointed when Ecuador won over Qatar, 2-0.
21Some workers spoke to Reuters and said that this game would be the only match they could watch all month.
22A healthcare worker from Nepal was one of the few women in the stadium watching the match.
23She said that she would not be able to see any more games because she works long hours at a hospital.
24Mohammad Ansar is from India.
25He has been working in Qatar since the beginning of the year.
26He is volunteering with FIFA, the soccer governing body, for two upcoming games so he could watch them in person.
27But on Sunday he was at the special fan zone with other workers.
28He said that he was thankful to be watching on the screen despite Qatar's loss.
29"With this stadium for free, they're considering poor people also," Ansar said.
30I'm Faith Pirlo.
1Thousands of migrant workers took pictures of themselves while watching the opening game of the soccer World Cup in Doha, Qatar 2They were watching from a special fan zone near the workers' area outside the city. The area is where hundreds of thousands of Qatar's low-income workers live. There were two large television screens set up, one inside the stadium and one set up outside for the additional crowds. 3Ronald Ssenyondo is 25 years old and from Uganda. He has been working long hours under the heat in Qatar for two years to finish the stadiums for the World Cup. He was cheering for Qatar in the game. 4"We are here to enjoy our sweat now. I am just overwhelmed with the things I'm seeing now," he said. 5Qatar is a rich country with a large natural gas field. Most of the country's 2.9 million people are foreign workers, from low-paid laborers to high-powered businessmen. 6Human rights groups have called attention to how laborers are treated and their lack of protection. The workers, including the ones who built the stadiums and hotels for the World Cup, are overworked, underpaid, and live in poor conditions. 7The Qatari government has passed labor reforms that include a minimum monthly wage of 1,000 Qatari rials or about $275. This amount is more than the laborers usually earn back in their home countries. 8A ticket for the game costs on average about $200. For many laborers, that price is out of reach. So, the special fan zone in the industrial area is free for them. 9Ali Jammal is a 26-year-old from Ethiopia. He has worked in Qatar for five years. He said, "I'm supporting my sisters and brothers in Ethiopia by sending money back, so I'm coming here because tickets are too much." 10During Qatar's game against Ecuador on Sunday, thousands of workers came into the stadium to then be disappointed when Ecuador won over Qatar, 2-0. Some workers spoke to Reuters and said that this game would be the only match they could watch all month. 11A healthcare worker from Nepal was one of the few women in the stadium watching the match. She said that she would not be able to see any more games because she works long hours at a hospital. 12Mohammad Ansar is from India. He has been working in Qatar since the beginning of the year. He is volunteering with FIFA, the soccer governing body, for two upcoming games so he could watch them in person. 13But on Sunday he was at the special fan zone with other workers. He said that he was thankful to be watching on the screen despite Qatar's loss. 14"With this stadium for free, they're considering poor people also," Ansar said. 15I'm Faith Pirlo. 16Charlotte Bruneau and Maya Gebeily wrote this article for Reuters. Faith Pirlo adapted it for Learning English. 17____________________________________________________________ 18Words in This Story 19zone - n. an area that is different from other areas in a certain way, especially involving some kinds of rules 20match - n. a sports competition or contest between two players or teams 21stadium - n. a very large usually roofless building that has a large open area surrounded by many rows of seats and that is used for sports events, concerts, etc. 22sweat - n. clear liquid that is produced by skin when the body is hot or nervous 23overwhelmed - adj. to cause someone to have too much to deal with; affected by too many things 24ticket - n. a piece of paper that allows you to see a show, participate in an event, travel on a vehicle, etc. 25_____________________________________________________________ 26What do you think about this story? 27We want to hear from you. We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 28Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.