A practical seminar was held in Moscow on 21 February to draw conclusions from the first year of monitoring working conditions at stadiums being built or reconstructed for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

The seminar was attended by representatives from FIFA, the International Labour Organisation, international and Russian trade unions, the construction firms at the stadiums, plus general contractors and major contracting companies hired for the construction and renovation of the future tournament's venues. During an open and constructive session, the main complications and successes encountered when providing safe and decent working conditions were discussed, as were the areas that need further work in this respect.

“Over the past year a lot has been done to improve working conditions at Russia 2018 stadiums,” said the Local Organising Committee's Head of Sustainability Milana Verkhunova. “Thirty-nine inspections were held in ten Russia 2018 Host Cities, during which experts from the Klinsky Institute of Labour Protection and Working Conditions, FIFA and LOC specialists and trade union officials ensured regulations were being observed for health and safety, labour protection and workers' rights.

“We paid particular attention to talk to the workers personally, so that they could explain in more detail the issues that are most important to them. More than 800 people involved in building Russia 2018 stadiums were interviewed throughout 2016. I can say that stadium inspections will be continued in 2017 right up until the moment when the construction and renovation work is complete.”

In April last year, a system to monitor working conditions at Russia 2018 stadium construction sites was launched as part of the sustainable development strategy at the 2018 World Cup. The main objective of this monitoring system is to evaluate how rules and regulations are being implemented in healthy and safety, labour protection, workers' rights, accommodation and meal provision for the tens of thousands of workers currently employed in construction work. An equally important task is to introduce timely corrective measures where necessary.

Inspections are held at the construction sites on a regular basis, once every three months, in order to improve working conditions. After the first four visits, the number of discrepancies associated with the requirements of construction companies to draw up regulatory documents dropped by 80%, while the number of on-site infringements dropped by 20%.

In 2017, the monitoring of working conditions will be actively carried forwards. A primary focus will be to reduce risks for workers' health and provide a safe working environment at Russia 2018 construction sites.