Saudi Arabia Accused of Migrant Worker Abuses Amid 2034 World Cup Bid

A global coalition of trade unions has lodged a formal complaint against Saudi Arabia with the International Labor Organization (ILO), a UN-backed entity, over allegations of mistreating migrant workers. This development surfaces as FIFA is on the verge of designating Saudi Arabia as the venue for the 2034 World Cup. The complaint, initiated by Building and Wood Workers International (BWI), calls for an in-depth investigation into what it describes as "severe human rights abuses and wage theft," reportedly impacting at least 21,000 workers in the last decade.

The BWI's statement highlighted the dire living and working conditions faced by the country's extensive migrant workforce, likening these circumstances to forced labor. Among the allegations are illegal recruitment fees, withholding of wages and passports, restrictions on workers' ability to change jobs, and instances of physical and sexual violence, with female and domestic workers being particularly vulnerable. The complaint accuses Saudi Arabia of violating ILO conventions related to forced labor, freedom of association, and collective bargaining rights.

This isn't the first time such concerns have been raised within the context of World Cup preparations; a similar complaint was filed against Qatar, the host for the 2022 World Cup, a decade ago. Qatar underwent significant scrutiny for its labor practices, including the kafala system, which it later reformed in collaboration with the ILO.

With FIFA now facing pressure to ensure that past oversights are not repeated with Saudi Arabia, there is an emphasis on working with independent experts to leverage improvements in labor conditions. Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup is nearly confirmed but requires a formal submission by July, ahead of a decisive vote by FIFA member federations scheduled for December 11. It is anticipated that Saudi Arabia will be the sole candidate.

The BWI has called for immediate action from FIFA and the global community regarding its complaint against Saudi Arabia. As of now, FIFA and the Saudi World Cup bidding team have not commented on these allegations.

FIFA mandates that World Cup bidders undergo an independent human rights assessment to ensure that hosting does not adversely affect internationally recognized human rights, including labor rights. Saudi Arabia's ambitious plans include constructing up to 10 out of the 14 stadiums needed for hosting the 104-game tournament featuring 48 teams. Notably, one stadium project near Riyadh envisions a high-tech venue with a capacity of 45,000 seats positioned atop a cliff.

The World Cup forms a part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 initiative aimed at modernizing Saudi society and reducing its oil dependency. The crown prince has fostered strong ties with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and views sports and entertainment as pivotal to his vision. This vision also includes constructing a futuristic city named Neom.

In addition to its World Cup aspirations, Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games at a ski resort near Neom and is developing public transport systems and venues in Riyadh for the 2030 World Expo. However, critics argue that such endeavors serve to "sportswash" Saudi Arabia's international image amidst ongoing human rights concerns and controversies such as the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.