Victims of labor exploitation during the 2022 FIFA World Cup stadiums construction are commemorated in a digital stadium that launched on the day of the finals – December 18, which happened to also be the International Migrants Day. The virtual stadium features a flag and a nameplate of a number of the 6,500 documented workers who lost their lives during the construction of the FIFA World Cup stadiums in Qatar, Amnesty International Bulgaria told BTA in a press release.
The digital stadium can be accessed on www.the6500stadium.com.
Each year, a massive number of migrant workers are sent to work in construction. A multi-country investigation led by The Guardian has revealed an example of such massive migrant workforce export: in the 10 years since Qatar was awarded the right to host the World Cup more than 6,500 workers reportedly lost their lives building the stadiums and related infrastructure.
The awareness campaign, launched by Bulgaria-based communication and creative collective d:istinkt and proof., aims to digitally preserve the known names of the migrant workers and the memory of those unnamed who lost their lives during the 2022 FIFA World Cup construction for eternity and spread the message against migrant worker exploitation. The project is patroned by Amnesty International Bulgaria.
Communication agency proof., founded in 2018 by ad execs Angel Iskrev and Sava Ahmakov, was awarded Creative Agency of the Year 2022, organized by the Bulgarian Association of Communication Agencies. The agency has created award-winning work for well-known brands like TELUS International, Carlsberg Bulgaria, Skapto, Lidl Bulgaria, Four Paws among others, getting recognition in numerous advertising festivals such as The One Show, Epica Awards, MadStars, Cresta and many more.
Communications and experience agency d:istinkt has won over 107 nominations and awards for integrated communication campaigns and services. Based in Sofia, the agency specializes in offering services in the field of corporate communications, digital media, creative, brand consulting, media strategies, and strategic communications. In 2022, d:istinkt became “Agency of the Year” at the annual awards of The Bulgarian Association of PR Agencies in Bulgaria. The agency is part of PROI Worldwide – the largest global network of independent communication agencies serving clients worldwide. In 2020, PROI encompassed 78 partners with 7,300 employees in more than 165 cities and 50 countries. With combined revenue of nearly USD 1 billion, PROI ranked fourth among consolidated communications groups, and was the only one in the top ten that is based on a unique partnership of independent business people.
