Migrant workers face danger, exploitation in preparation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia
- Human Rights Research Center
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Author: Peter Clarkin, MA
May 23, 2025
HRRC condemns the treatment of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. With the World Cup less than 10 years away, the creation of safe working environments, coupled with FIFA enhancing its ability to uphold its own human rights policy in the country, are crucial stepping stones in reducing preventable workplace deaths.
![[Image source: Amnesty International Australia]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_3f2e07e79dfa4a38a2a703c23470ce6f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_90,h_90,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_3f2e07e79dfa4a38a2a703c23470ce6f~mv2.png)
Warnings have been voiced for organisations considering partnerships with The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup. The alarms being raised are primarily in connection with a lack of safety for migrant workers and the real potential for increases in work-related deaths.
The growth in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure often relies on workers from countries like India, Nepal and Bangladesh, and those in the construction industry are most at risk. Recent reports have stated that preventable workplace deaths are still occurring regularly amongst migrant labourers within the country. The reports state that a significant number of workers have lost their lives in horrific ways such as falling from buildings or being electrocuted.
The great fear at present is that the safety of migrant workers will become further jeopardised due to the huge increase in construction that comes with hosting a World Cup. By 2034, there is a plan to build 11 new stadiums, and renovate four others, and there is concern that the creation of these huge projects will be accompanied by thousands of preventable migrant deaths.
In a related issue, numerous claims have been made that Saudi Arabia is not reporting all work-related deaths accurately. A report stated that the majority of deaths are listed as occurring due to “natural causes”, and therefore no enquiry is required and no compensation is offered to the families
For their part FIFA, has been accused of compromising their own human rights policy, and that they should not have awarded a World Cup to Saudi Arabia without performing their due diligence. However, several human rights commentators are hopeful, but cautious, that the ten years leading up to the World Cup provides FIFA with enough time to ensure its human rights policy is upheld in the country.
Glossary
Accurately – in a way that is correct and free from mistakes.
Compensation – money or something given to make up for loss, injury, or work done.
Corresponding – matching or related to something else.
Due diligence – careful checks or research done before making a decision.
Ensure – to make sure something happens or is done properly.
Infrastructure – basic systems and services like roads, water, and electricity that support a society or organization.
Jeopardised – put at risk of harm, loss, or failure.
Labourers – people who do hard physical work, usually for pay.
Migrant workers – people who move to another place or country to find work.
“Natural causes” – a way to describe a death that happened because of illness or aging, not from an accident or violence.
Preventable – something that can be stopped from happening.
Upheld – supported or maintained, especially a rule, decision, or right.
Voiced – expressed an opinion or concern out loud.
Sources