As FIFA prepares to announce Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has criticised the nation for significant abuses against migrant workers. The organisation cautions that the event may be overshadowed by rights violations, reminiscent of those during Qatar’s 2022 tournament.
On Wednesday, HRW published a report detailing Saudi Arabia’s endeavour to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, drawing attention to serious labour rights abuses tied to the “Vision 2030” development initiative. This disclosure occurs just as FIFA’s 211 member associations are poised to convene next week to officially decide on Saudi Arabia’s hosting bid, in a meeting that will not entail a comprehensive vote.
The HRW report, named “Die First, Get Paid Later,” unveils practices it characterises as “forced labour,” such as exorbitant recruitment fees, systematic wage theft, exposure to extreme temperatures without proper safeguards, and restrictions on job mobility and exit from the country. Michael Page, HRW’s Deputy Director for the Middle East, remarked, “The migrant workforce powering Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-dollar projects endures widespread rights abuses without any means for redress.”
This announcement coincides with the recent update that FIFA and Qatar have prolonged the impact of the 2022 World Cup by creating a $50 million (€46 million) fund aimed at enhancing global education, healthcare, and football development. This initiative has been met with significant criticism, especially from Amnesty International. The most contentious matter continues to be the unpaid compensation for migrant workers who faced severe conditions during the World Cup preparations in Qatar. Steve Cockburn, the Head of Economic and Social Justice at Amnesty, stated, “This fund cannot mark the end of the story,” stressing that “FIFA has a clear responsibility towards the workers who suffered such abuses.”
As per the findings of Human Rights Watch, the migrant workforce in Saudi Arabia totals 13.4 million, constituting 40% of the nation’s entire populace. These workers, mainly hailing from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Yemen, and the Philippines, are employed in critical industries such as construction, hospitality, healthcare, and retail. Although reforms were implemented in 2021, a significant number remain susceptible under the kafala labour system, which binds them directly to their employers and greatly limits their ability to change jobs.
The Human Rights Watch report indicates that from January to July 2024, 884 Bangladeshi workers lost their lives in Saudi Arabia, with 80% of these deaths officially reported as due to “natural causes.” However, the bereaved families contest these statistics, attributing the losses to extreme working conditions, insufficient medical care, and intense heat—factors overlooked by the Saudi authorities. A worker involved in the Neom project, a visionary megacity representing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s aspirations, described the severe conditions: “Every day, one or two workers collapse, sometimes in the morning, sometimes at night. It happens on the way to work, or while they’re working.”
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious plans for the 2034 World Cup involve projects of staggering scope and vision. These encompass the creation of eight new stadiums, including a 92,000-seat arena in Riyadh designed to host both the opening match and final, as well as a stadium set 350 metres aloft in Neom, heralded as “the most unique in the world.” Moreover, the initiative includes the enhancement of four current stadiums, the construction of 175,000 hotel rooms, and the upgrading of railway, airport, and road networks.
FIFA has recently lauded Saudi Arabia’s proposal as “robust and comprehensive” during its assessment. However, it also highlighted that the nation must undertake “significant efforts and commitments” to align with international human rights standards. Comparisons with Qatar’s 2022 World Cup are inevitable, especially given the documented challenges. Although Qatar made partial reforms to its kafala system, critics contend that these modifications were seldom implemented effectively, leaving workers in vulnerable positions.
Human Rights Watch has expressed concern that FIFA is disregarding the lessons learned from Qatar and is poised to repeat previous errors by crafting a selection process that neglects obvious human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia. The report highlights: “The glaring neglect by Saudi officials regarding the protection of migrant workers almost guarantees that the 2034 World Cup will be marred by extensive human rights abuses.”
There have been calls for FIFA to refrain from awarding Saudi Arabia the hosting rights until the nation agrees to enforceable measures that protect the rights of migrant workers and uphold essential liberties, including women’s rights and press freedom. Among the primary recommendations are: partnering with independent human rights organisations and worker communities over the forthcoming decade; additionally, it advises that the home governments of migrant workers enhance embassy support within Saudi Arabia, educate workers on their entitlements, and urge Saudi authorities to uphold equitable labour conditions.
Saudi Arabia is anticipated to be officially declared as the host of the 2034 World Cup next Wednesday, being the only contender. Nevertheless, this decision might encounter significant global resistance and further damage FIFA’s standing, which has been recently criticised for placing monetary gains above ethical considerations.
To date, FIFA has ignored demands from activists and independent analysts to examine Saudi Arabia’s plans more closely. Human Rights Watch cautions that the organisation risks continuing a pattern of human rights abuses, excusing its lack of action with pledges of reforms that seldom come to fruition. While Saudi Arabia’s aspiration to host the World Cup might soon come true, it could entail considerable human costs. HRW emphasises, “Sport cannot serve as a tool to legitimise governments that systematically disregard fundamental rights.” The responsibility now lies with FIFA and the global community.
