French prosecutors opened a preliminary investigation two weeks ago a non-government organization claimed that construction giant Vinci is using forced labour on building projects for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Non-governmental group Sherpa has filed a claim in a French court against Vinci and its Qatari subsidiary QDVC for "forced labour", "servitude" and "concealment".Sherpa claim, prosecutor Catherine Denis said.

A wider probe involving investigations in Qatar could be subsequently opened if found warranted, she added.

Vinci has denied all the allegations, and has filed a defamation claim in Paris against Sherpa.

"The on-site investigations found the use by these companies of various threats to force vulnerable people into scandalous working and living conditions for a paltry salary," the NGO had said.

The NGO claimed that "passports were confiscated by the company and workers were threatened if they claimed their right to better working conditions or housing, if they wished to resign or change employer".

Qatar gave undertakings last year to improve workplace safety, housing, and pay and conditions for its huge expatriate workforce after world football governing body Fifa came under huge pressure from rights groups to review its decision to award the emirate the 2022 World Cup. [AFP]

Photo Credit: Mohammed Noorudeen