Advocates press council to release FIFA and LA28 human‑rights plans ahead of World Cup and Olympics

Community advocates and legal experts used the council’s public‑comment period on Feb. 20 to press the city to immediately release draft human‑rights plans that FIFA and LA28 were required to submit before major sporting events.

Martin Barrera, Workforce Equity Coordinator at Jobs to Move America, told the council: “Release the FIFA human Rights plan and the LA28 Human Rights Plan and agenda so we may properly discuss measures to protect the vulnerable and ensure these events are not at the expense of the workers who make these events happen.” Other speakers from Jobs to Move America, the Sunita Jane Anti‑Trafficking Initiative at Loyola Law School, the Thai Community Development Center and the Fair Games Coalition repeated the call and asked the council to put the plans on a future agenda for public review.

Speakers cited research tying companies in FIFA sponsor supply chains (including Hyundai and Kia) to labor‑abuse allegations and warned that mega‑events can increase risks of both labor and sex trafficking. Several speakers said FIFA and LA28 were required to submit human‑rights plans by Dec. 31, 2025 and that the public has not yet been allowed to review the drafts.

Council staff and members acknowledged the concerns in subsequent remarks and said the council has committed to reviewing LA28 materials as previously promised; advocates asked council leadership to follow through and provide meaningful community review and input before events begin.

Next steps: Advocates urged the council to place FIFA and LA28 human‑rights plans on a full council agenda for a public review period; council members said they would follow up on the request.