'The action by the workers' welfare agency AWO and the artist Volker-Johannes Trieb commemorated the more than 15,000 migrant workers who have died in Qatar in the past decade, according to Qatari government statistics.

'Altogether 6,500 footballs filled with sand were also placed on the playing field in the stadium in Herne, reflecting another estimate of migrant deaths based on figures provided by non-Qatari governments.

'Although the statistics include all migrant worker deaths in Qatar over the past 10 years or so, the artist, Volker-Johannes Trieb, placed the blame squarely on the World Cup preparations.

' "The soccer world championship has cost the lives of many thousands of people. They were treated like slaves and died of heat, exhaustion or because of deficient safety precautions," he said in a statement.

' "FIFI and Qatar's government have gone over dead bodies, and that mustn't be ignored amid World Cup celebrations," he added.'

Umm, wasn't there news about Germany and Qatar signing a new gas deal?

Protests rainbow ban, calls for action on workers deaths, buys long-term Gas - Probably Germany

Very weak and naief people, the Germans. Also those 6.500 death slaves are not including the not counted African labours

"Huge candle action" 😏

Almost as if it's a large group of people with various opinions 🤔

Where are they to get it from? the options are limited.

Yeah they should buy fire wood from you.

Whatever you think about this guys statement, he got the first and most important part of protesting Qatari slave labour right, which many others seem to have missed:

1. Don't go to Qatar to watch the World Cup

If you need natural gas, there aren't too many options around.

US and Canada have fairly expensive natural gas. Russia is off-limits. Norway can't supply the entire EU on their own.

At least Qatar won't invade their neighbours any time soon.

The trade deal explicitly mentions that Germany will reduce the imports during the (IIRC 15 year) contractual period to meet ecological goals, so it's already just a temporary supplier.

This was done by the AWO a private worker's welfare organization. That's literally their whole purpose. They are not the government nor the DFB. We are almost 85m different people and have varying opinions on things.

This is a private welfare organization not "Germany", our government does things, but the 85m Germans have have differing opinions. Especially since we have a multi-party system reliant on compromise.

How about you commemorate the lives who have been lost in slave labour that produces your clothes & iphones too?