Qatar sought to allay widespread concerns about conditions for migrant workers on World Cup building projects by detailing on Tuesday how their rights must be protected by contractors. Buffalo Sabres Shirts . Rights group Amnesty International called the charter a "positive, if partial" step, but the International Trade Union Confederation called it a "sham," and complained that 2022 World Cup leaders have not demanded changes in Qatars labour laws despite mounting criticism from rights groups. Qatari organizers released the charter after being ordered by FIFA to explain by this week how working and living conditions for workers building the venues for the Middle Easts first World Cup are improving. The 50-page document fleshes out the basic welfare obligations that were published last year. Within it are the requirements for employment contracts, payment, medical care and living conditions, including the meals and bedrooms that must be provided. Employers must also allow workers to retain their passports and cover the cost of their costs to return home at the end of their contract. "In our experience enforcement (of the standards) is almost always the stumbling block," Amnesty researcher James Lynch said in a statement. Lynch stressed that only a "relatively small proportion" of workers are covered by the charter. Only companies building World Cup venues must abide by it, rather than those with government contracts for the wider infrastructure projects that are required to handle an influx of players, fans and media. Just 38 construction workers are currently employed by World Cup organizers, building the Al Wakrah Stadium south of the capital Doha. The labour force will rapidly rise as a dozen stadiums and training camps for the 32 competing teams are built from scratch or renovated. The International Trade Union Confederation is troubled by the charters failure to address the sweltering summer working conditions when temperatures can hit 50 degrees (120F). "It promises health and safety but provides no credible enforcement," ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said. "It promises employment standards but gives migrant workers no rights to collectively bargain or join a trade union. It promises equality but does not provide a guarantee of a minimum wage." The ITUC is urging the Qatari government to abolish the "kafala" employment system, which stops workers from leaving the country without written permission from employers. FIFA executive committee member Theo Zwanziger, who is working with the ITUC to resolve concerns about Qatar, will face questioning on their progress at the European Parliament in Brussels on Thursday. Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general of the World Cup organizing committee, insisted that the tournament will be a catalyst for change in Qatar. "(It) will leave a legacy of enhanced, sustainable and meaningful progress in regards to worker welfare across the country," Al Thawadi said. Wholesale Sabres Jerseys . The German has taken the pole for three straight races -- winning the first two. Hes aiming for a third consecutive win at the Yeongam circuit and, most importantly, a fourth consecutive F1 championship. Stitched Sabres Jerseys . Gough finished in fourth, 0.433 seconds behind American Erin Hamlin, who took the bronze medal at the Sanki Sliding Center in Rzhanaya Polyana. https://www.cheapsabres.com/ . Nick Young scored 17 points for Los Angeles, which lost five of its last seven before trouncing the Pelicans, who beat them handily last week in New Orleans. Jodie Meeks and Xavier Henry scored 15 points apiece for the Lakers, who led by 20 points in the first half before coasting to their 12th win in their last 13 regular-season meetings with New Orleans.8) Speaking of ratings, might the NFL be looking at some sort of record for a late afternoon Sunday audience when Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos take on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at 4:25 PM ET this week? I cant imagine theres a bigger attraction than Manning vs. Brady in what might be a preview of the AFC championship game, whose site is very likely to be determined by Sundays result.9) There are nine active NHLers who have scored 50 or more goals in a season. Will the number be 10 or more at seasons end, and if so, who will be next? The most popular second answer when the first answer is "yes" seems to be Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars.10) Will it be a big deal when Joe Maddon decides which team hed like to manage next? I guess so - hes Joe Maddon, acknowledged as the smartest baseball manager of his time, or, if you prefer, the best with the exception of Bruce Bochy. But there you go - whod have picked Bochy if he didnt have two World Series rings and wasnt being fitted for a third? Shouldnt baseball managers be judged with proof that can only come with championships won?11) All cancer is bad, but can we safely say that Olli Maattas treatable form of apparent thyroid cancer makes us glad its not worse, hopeful that hell live a full life and optimistic that hell be back on the ice with the Pittsburgh Penguins in a month? And after realizing all of that, its okay to smile, isnt it?12) I hate the idea or even the mention of tanking, but I might understand if the BC Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders rested players in the final two weeks of the CFL season with the thought that a fourth-place finish in the West would be just fine, never mind going all-out to finish third. The fourth-place finisher crosses over to the Eastern playoffs and gets what is arguably an easier road to the Grey Cup than that which awaits the third-place team in the West. Can you tell me why the CFL chooses not to declare the third-place team the crossover team, thereby adding importance to winning and removing any perceived reward that might come with losing and moving to what is obviously a weaker conference?13) Who could resist the urge to watch four NFL games in a day? So if you happened to watch the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons from England on Sunday morning, you saw the Falcons give away a game as if it was Halloween candy. There isnt enough space here to detail the many different ways the Lions were able to win with the Falcons help, but it was a result that had to crush fans of Detroits division rivals in Green Bay, Minnesota and Chicago. Sabres Jerseys 2021. 14) Every time a player complains about quiet fans, the debate is on, and its never really off in Toronto: Would the crowd be louder if the Leafs won more, and would the Leafs win more if the fans were noisier? This much I know - fans are entitled to be as loud or as quiet as they wish, but logic tells me theyd have more fun for their money if they went intending to be lively.15) The Buffalo Bills sit in a wild-card playoff spot and Kyle Orton is the quarterback who has guided three of their five wins. Which is more surprising? You could have seen the Bills coming, but Orton? Dont think so.16) If the Giants win the World Series, whos the runner-up in MVP voting? Hunter Pence edges Pablo Sandoval on this ballot.17) Sandovals post-season play has done wonders for his future prospects as a pending free agent, although hed have been tops on a list of third basemen anyway. But what about Royals pitcher James Shields? His next contract will not make anyone feel sorry for him, but his ceiling has certainly been lowered. Hard to imagine you get to the World Series and theres a downside attached to that, isnt it?18) As it continues to deal with the indefinite suspension of LA Kings defenceman Slava Voynov, do you think the NHL cringes a bit at the news of a civil suit brought against Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov by his ex-girlfriend? After never suspending Varlamov following his arrest last season, and dodging any criticism when charges were subsequently dropped, the NHL can solidly claim there was no proof of any criminal wrongdoing on Varlamovs part. But if damaging evidence is brought to a civil court and a ruling is made against Varlamov, the NHL will be in a tough spot, particularly if charges against Voynov are never filed or are dismissed.19) The race is on. Do you want to pick a winner? John Scotts goals and suspensions are tied at one apiece.20) Would the New York Jets be this bad (1-7) if "Fireman Ed" hadnt hung up his hat two years ago? The NFLs most famous cheerleading fan in the stands finally had enough of the Jets losing ways, though it should be said he made a mini-comeback on Sunday at a radio stations pre-game party. The 43-23 loss to Buffalo wasnt officially on Eds watch, then. Embattled general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan couldnt say the same. ' ' '