FEATURE BWI/FIFA
UNIONS SCORE GOAL FOR WORKERS’ SAFETY
BWI strikes groundbreaking agreement with FIFA
Last October trade unions scored a goal for workers’ rights, in the build up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
While much of the world has been watching confusing match draws and dodgy peace prizes – the real World Cup heroes are the construction workers that are building the stadiums and infrastructure for the tournaments.
Delegates gathering in Geneva to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) were determined to tackle issues around workers’ safety and rights, and as part of this agenda, signed a groundbreaking agreement with FIFA to improve conditions for workers at all FIFA tournaments for the next decade.
BWI general secretary Ambet Yuson welcomed the new accord, saying, “This agreement builds on years of experience and critical partnership.
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“It provides a clear process not only to monitor but also to prevent and remedy abuses, ensuring that commitments to human rights translate into concrete improvements for workers.”
The collaboration agreement with FIFA sets a framework for joint inspections, training, and reporting to promote decent and safe working conditions for all workers involved in the construction and renovation of stadiums and other infrastructure linked to FIFA tournaments.
The agreement, signed by BWI president Per-Olof Sjöö and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström, also establishes a formal structure for cooperation between both organisations. This aims to ensure workers’ rights are respected throughout relevant supply chains, as well as construction and infrastructure sites, by maintaining transparency, accountability and constructive engagement.
As part of the new agreement, in late November, the BWI conducted an official visit to Monterrey, one of three Mexican host cities during the 2026 World Cup.
Unite joined the delegation, which also included representatives from Mexican affiliate CIT and SUNTRACS from Panama.
The visit was part of the new agreement’s joint verification and monitoring process and focused on
12 unite buildingWORKER Spring 2026
the 52,000 capacity BBVA Stadium, which is set to host four World Cup matches. The trade union delegation also had meetings with members of FIFA’s Human Rights Committee for Mexico, the stadium management team and the Host City Committee.
They discussed details of completed renovation works, plans for temporary infrastructure and operational procedures for the tournament. They also explored issues related to community legacy, environmental considerations and safety, while sharing preliminary recommendations aimed at strengthening compliance with international labour standards and ensuring safe and healthy working conditions.
Tournament building work is about more than stadiums, and Monterrey has a number of major projects linked to the World Cup, including the construction of two new Metro lines 4 and 6.
Constructing BBVA stadiu
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