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5h ago

Human Rights Groups Warn of Preventable Deaths in Saudi World Cup Construction

New reports detail systemic risks to migrant workers, misreporting of fatalities, and inadequate compensation as Saudi Arabia ramps up 2034 World Cup preparations.

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An artist's illustration of King Khalid University stadium in Abha in Saudi Arabia, one of the proposed venues for the 2034 World Cup
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Overview

  • Human Rights Watch and FairSquare have released reports documenting preventable deaths among migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, citing electrocution, falls, road accidents, and work-related illnesses.
  • The reports accuse Saudi authorities of misclassifying worker deaths as 'natural' and failing to conduct transparent investigations, hindering compensation for families.
  • Saudi Arabia's rapid infrastructure expansion for the 2034 World Cup and Vision 2030 projects is projected to expose thousands of workers to life-threatening conditions.
  • Unlike Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, Saudi Arabia has not established an independent oversight body to monitor worker protections during construction projects.
  • FIFA states it is collaborating with Saudi authorities and international labor organizations to improve worker protections, but rights groups demand binding safeguards and immediate action.