GOOD

Migrant Worker Sues FIFA Over Human Rights AbusesĀ In Qatar

Is FIFA legally responsibible for the behavior of World Cup host nations?

 Steven Louis
10.11.16

To prepare Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, more than 1.7 million migrant workers have worked on stadium and infrastructure projects that journalists and human rights groups say have been defined by systematic abuse, including forced labor that some call modern-day slavery. On Sunday night, a Bangladeshi migrant worker sued world soccerā€™s governing body for its role, according to The Guardian. It is the first time FIFA has been held accountable for Qatarā€™s labor system.

FIFA sitting president Gianni Infantino, who arrived at the position after the ousting of Sepp Blatter last year, now has three weeks to accept complicity in the legal challenge, which was brought forth by the Netherlands Trade Union Confederation on behalf of Bangladeshi migrant worker Nadim Sharaful Alam.

Sundayā€™s action could set legal precedent for migrant workers groups to hold FIFA accountable for labor conditions. Qatarā€™s kafala migrant labor system, which has been likened to contemporary slavery and was the subject of a recent critical report by Amnesty International, should have been an initial impediment to Qatarā€™s World Cup bid, according to the letter received by Infantino.

The letter also called for an observation of fundamental worker's rights, including the ability for migrant workers to unionize, change jobs, or leave Qatar, and said that FIFA was legally implicated from the moment it allowed Qatar to participate in the bidding for the 2022 World Cup site.

FIFA has yet to release an official statement or response, but has previously claimed that itā€™s only responsible for actions that host nations take to build World Cup stadiums, and that is not responsible for public infrastructure.

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The 6 most important quotes from Hillary Clinton's epic interview with Howard Stern

via The Howard Stern Show / YouTube

Former Secretary of State, first lady, and winner of the popular vote in the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton, sat own for an epic, two-and-a--half hour interview with Howard Stern on his SiriusXM show Wednesday.

She was there to promote "The Book of Gutsy Women," a book about heroic women co-written with her daughter, Chelsea Clinton.

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A survey of 2,966 men and women conducted by New America found that men are more likely to receive paid parental leave. Over half (52%) of fathers had fully paid parental leave, and 14% of fathers had partially paid parental leave. In comparison, 33% of mothers had fully paid parental leave and 19% had partially paid parental leave.

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6 attractive alternatives to everyday products that are better for the environment

Bans on plastic bags and straws can only go so far. Using disposable products, like grabbing a plastic fork when you're on the go, can be incredibly convenient. But these items also contribute to our growing plastic problem.

Fortunately, you can cut down on the amount of waste you produce by cutting down on disposable products. And even more fortunately, there are sustainable (and cute) replacements that won't damage the environment.

Coconut bowls


Cocostation

Who says sustainable can't also be stylish? These cute coconut bowls were handmade using reclaimed coconuts, making each piece one of a kind. Not only are they organic and biodegradable, but they're also durable, in case your dinner parties tend to get out of hand. The matching ebony wood spoons were polished with the same coconut oil as the bowls.

Cocostation Set of 2 Vietnamese Coconut Bowls and Spoons, $14.99; at Amazon

Solar powered phone charger

Dizaul

Why spend time looking around for an outlet when you can just harness the power of the sun? This solar powered phone charger will make sure your phone never dies as long as you can bask in the sun's rays. As an added bonus, this charger was made using eco-friendly silicone rubber. It's win-win all around.

Dizaul Solar Charger, 5000mAh Portable Solar Power Bank, $19.95; at Amazon, $19.95; at Amazon

Herb garden kit

Planter Pro

Put some green in your life with this herb planter. The kit comes with everything you need to get a garden growing, including a moisture meter that helps you determine if your herbs are getting the right amount of food to flourish. All the seeds included are certified to be non-GMO and non-hybrids, meaning you can have fresh, organic herbs right at your fingertips.

Planter Pro's Herb Garden Cedar Planter, $39.00; at Amazonedar Planter, $39.00; at Amazon

Reusable Keurig cups

K & J

Keurig cups are convenient, but they also create a ton of plastic waste. These Keurig-compatible plastic cups are an easy way to cut down on the amount of trash you create without cutting down on your caffeine. Additionally, you won't have to keep on buying K Cups, which means you'll be saving money and the environment.

K&J Reusable Filter Cups, $8.95 for a set of 4,; at Amazon

Low-flow shower head

Speakman

Low-flow water fixtures can cut down your water consumption, which saves you money while also saving one of the Earth's resources. This shower head was designed with a lighter flow in mind, which means you'll be able to cut down on water usage without feeling like you're cutting down on your shower.

Speakman Low Flow Shower Head, $14.58; at Amazon

Bamboo safety razor

Zomchi

Instead of throwing away a disposable razor every time you shave, invest in an eco-friendly, reusable one. This unisex shaver isn't just sustainable, it's also sharp-looking, which means it would make a great gift for the holidays.

Zomchi Safety Razor, $16.99; at Amazon

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