FIFA President confirmed the violation of the rights of the North Koreans during the construction of Zenit-Arena

The head of FIFA Gianni Infantino announced a violation of the human rights of workers who are engaged in the construction of Zenit-Arena in St. Petersburg. About this writes The Guardian, referring to the letter of Infantino to the four football associations of the northern countries.

The letter indicates that men from North Korea, whose working conditions are “terrible”, were directed to the construction of Zenit Arena.

Infantino noted that "FIFA is aware and strongly condemns the often terrifying working conditions in which North Korea citizens have to work in different countries of the world." In addition to Russia, the North Korean workers are operated in China and in the Middle East.

The workers' checks took place in November 2016. It is noted that in March 2017, employees from the DPRK were no longer noticed at the construction site.

Deputy Prime Minister-RF, Chairman of the Russia-2018 Organizing Committee Vitaly Mutko in an interview with TASS answered the criticism of Infantino. He said that work at the stadium is underway in accordance with all the requirements of FIFA.

“All (the worker of the St. Petersburg Stadium) was paid money. All in accordance with the requirements of FIFA. We are monitoring working conditions, it is constantly published, there were no questions and there are no questions, we have tough labor legislation in our country, ”said Mutko.

In March, an article was published in the Norwegian Josimar magazine under the name “The Slaves of St Petersburg” (“slaves of St. Petersburg”). In it, the journalist said that at least 110 North Koreans work at the Zenit Arena construction site. The journalist noted that the builders lived in warehouse containers behind the stadium. The article contains messages of local publications, which talked about the death of one of the North Koreans after a heart attack.