Human Rights Watch: Saudi Arabia Constructs Mega Projects with Widespread Labor Abuses Ahead of Hosting the 2034 World Cup

Human Rights Watch has issued a comprehensive report exposing the systemic abuses faced by migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, particularly in mega projects funded or linked to the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). The report comes ahead of FIFA’s anticipated announcement on December 11, 2024, regarding Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup, highlighting blatant disregard for labor rights obligations related to migrant workers.

Systematic Abuses Against Migrant Workers

The report, titled “I’ll Pay You After You Die: Saudi Mega Projects Built on Widespread Labor Abuses,” spans 79 pages and documents extensive abuses against migrant workers, including cases that amount to forced labor. These abuses include:

• Exorbitant recruitment fees unlawfully charged to workers.
• Rampant wage theft, with many workers reporting months without pay.
• Inadequate protection from extreme heat, exposing workers to potentially fatal health risks.
• Severe restrictions on job mobility, with workers facing arbitrary obstacles when attempting to change employers.
• Uninvestigated worker deaths, leaving families without compensation or support.

Michael Page, Deputy Director of the Middle East Division at Human Rights Watch, stated:
“The migrant workforce building Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-dollar mega projects faces widespread abuses without any recourse. FIFA’s disregard for these violations will result in a human cost far beyond the workers themselves, impacting their families as well.”

Mega Projects at the Expense of Workers’ Rights

The report highlights labor rights violations in PIF-funded mega projects such as Neom and King Salman Park. Cases include workers being forced to pay hefty sums to employers to switch jobs and facing deportation threats if they refused.

A former migrant worker on the Neom project revealed:
“I was told to pay 12,000 SAR (USD 3,200) to my former employer to transfer to a new job. I had no other choice.”

Workers also endure dangerous conditions, particularly under extreme heat. One worker described the situation:
“One or two workers faint every day due to the heat—some collapse on the way to work, others while on the job.”

These hazardous conditions often lead to unexplained deaths, frequently labeled “natural” in official reports without serious investigations.

Failure of Saudi Labor Reforms

Despite Saudi Arabia announcing a Labor Reform Initiative in 2021 to improve conditions for migrant workers, the report indicates that these reforms have failed to bring substantial change. Workers still face strict restrictions on changing jobs or leaving the country without employer permission.

A migrant worker recounted:
“When I asked my manager for my unpaid wages, he told me, ‘I’ll pay you after you die.’ There’s no authority we can turn to for help.”

Financial and Health Burdens on Workers’ Families

These violations impose severe economic and health burdens on workers’ families. The report documents cases of workers who died under unclear circumstances, leaving their families in extreme poverty.

The wife of a deceased worker stated:
“My husband used to send us money regularly, but after his death, we received no support from his company or the Saudi authorities. We’re now living in utter destitution.”

Others suffer from debilitating illnesses due to harsh working conditions. One worker revealed:
“I returned home needing dialysis. The company offered no assistance, and all I received was a return ticket.”

FIFA Turns a Blind Eye to Abuses

Human Rights Watch expressed outrage over FIFA’s handling of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup. Despite plans requiring the construction of 11 new stadiums, renovation of 4 existing ones, and extensive infrastructure development—including 185,000 hotel rooms and upgrades in transportation and airports—FIFA has not demanded concrete guarantees to protect workers.

Page commented:
“FIFA’s decision to grant Saudi Arabia the opportunity to host the World Cup without requiring binding human rights improvements is a slap in the face to the values FIFA claims to uphold. This decision will worsen the plight of migrant workers and reflects international complicity in these violations.”

Urgent Call for Reform

Human Rights Watch has called on Saudi authorities to implement promised labor reforms and address gaps in labor laws to ensure compliance with international standards. The organization also urged FIFA to take immediate action to ensure workers’ rights are respected throughout all stages of preparation for the 2034 World Cup.