HRW Raises Alarm Over Migrant Worker Deaths Ahead of 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia

PARIS: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a stark warning about the treatment and safety of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia as the country gears up to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. According to a detailed HRW report, dozens of workers are dying in preventable, tragic accidents such as falls, electrocutions, and even decapitations—raising fears of a looming humanitarian crisis.

The rights group claims Saudi authorities have failed to provide adequate protection, timely investigations, or compensation for the families of the deceased. Despite public commitments to labor reform and worker welfare, the situation on major construction sites—including those linked to the World Cup—remains dangerous and largely unregulated, HRW said.

Highlighting nearly 50 documented cases, HRW revealed that most deaths are written off as “natural causes,” thus bypassing legal responsibility and compensation. In 2023 alone, 74% of 1,420 Indian migrant worker deaths recorded at the Indian embassy in Riyadh were officially attributed to natural causes, despite highly questionable circumstances.

HRW called on FIFA to ensure transparency, full investigation of all work-related deaths, and fair compensation for affected families. It warned, “FIFA is knowingly risking yet another tournament that will unnecessarily come at a grave human cost,” drawing comparisons to controversies surrounding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The report included testimony from a grieving widow, who said, “If we had received compensation right after his death, it would have provided so much relief.” Her children were toddlers when her husband died on the job. She’s still waiting—over a decade later—for full resolution.

While FIFA claims it is committed to human rights protections and has announced the implementation of mandatory welfare standards for workers, HRW criticized the lack of clarity and action. No concrete details have been shared on how deaths will be prevented, monitored, or compensated.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom responded in a letter, stating that Saudi Arabia has made “significant reforms” since 2018, including modifications to the kafala system and cooperation with the International Labour Organization. However, HRW remains skeptical, urging FIFA and global watchdogs not to repeat past mistakes by ignoring worker welfare during the World Cup’s preparations.

As Saudi Arabia races toward 2034, human rights organizations are urging transparency, accountability, and international scrutiny—before more lives are lost in silence.