Surge in Migrant Worker Deaths in Saudi Arabia Ahead of 2034 World Cup: Human Rights Concerns Rise

As Saudi Arabia gears up to host the World Cup in 2034, serious concerns are emerging regarding the safety and welfare of migrant construction workers, with reports indicating a concerning spike in preventable deaths.

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch (HRW) and FairSquare, are sounding the alarm over a dramatic increase in fatalities among migrant construction workers in Saudi Arabia, which is diligently preparing for the World Cup scheduled for 2034. Alarmingly, these groups assert that many deaths occur due to preventable workplace accidents but are often classified as natural causes. Such misclassification results in families receiving no compensation for their losses.

Minky Worden, director of Global Initiatives at Human Rights Watch, warned that while the upcoming tournament is set to be the most significant and costly in history, it risks claiming numerous lives of migrant workers who are essential to constructing vital infrastructure, including stadiums, a transit network, and extensive hotel accommodations.

These warnings coincide with a visit by FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Saudi Arabia, where he participated in an investment forum alongside former U.S. President Donald Trump. FIFA, the global governing body of football, claims a commitment to human rights, yet critics accuse it of overlooking lessons learned from prior migrant worker deaths tied to the World Cup preparation in Qatar in 2022.

Data on worker fatalities in Saudi Arabia is scarce due to restricted access for human rights organizations and the prohibition of labor unions. An investigation by Human Rights Watch that spoke with families of 31 workers from Bangladesh, India, and Nepal revealed devastating accounts of tragic accidents including falls from heights and machinery-related incidents. Additionally, extreme heat is a growing concern as construction ramp-ups intensify in preparation for the event.

Despite the Saudi government's assertions of progress in occupational health and safety, with reported reductions in work-related fatalities, labor unions claim to observe an alarming rise in preventable accidents. BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson attributed these incidents to systemic negligence and corruption.

Furthermore, medical authorities in Saudi Arabia infrequently perform autopsies to ascertain causes of death for migrant workers, leaving many families in the dark concerning their loved ones' fates. FairSquare's co-director, James Lynch, criticized the lack of accountability in searching for the truth behind these deaths and the government's apparent absence of protection for vulnerable workers.

According to FIFA, it intends to initiate a workers' welfare system to ensure enhanced rights and protections for those employed on World Cup projects; however, HRW expressed doubts regarding the specifics of this initiative.

Human Rights Watch has urged Saudi authorities and FIFA to rigorously investigate all migrant worker fatalities and ensure families receive dignified treatment and fair compensation. The dire situation calls into question the broader implications of labor rights and human dignity, as stakeholders must confront the grim realities facing those who help build monumental events like the World Cup.