Surge in Migrant Worker Deaths Alarms Rights Groups Ahead of 2034 Saudi World Cup
Human rights organizations warn of rising fatalities among migrant workers building infrastructure for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Human rights organizations are raising urgent concerns over a sharp increase in the deaths of migrant construction workers in Saudi Arabia, as the country intensifies preparations for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
According to reports released today by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and FairSquare, many migrant workers are dying from preventable accidents at construction sites. The groups allege that numerous fatalities are misclassified as resulting from natural causes, preventing families from receiving compensation.
Both HRW and FairSquare are calling on Saudi authorities to implement strict safety measures for the country’s vast migrant workforce, which is now engaged in massive projects including 11 new stadiums, a nationwide rail and transit network, and around 185,000 hotel rooms.
Minky Worden, Director of Global Initiatives at HRW, warned, “The 2034 Saudi World Cup will be the largest and most expensive ever, but it risks becoming the most deadly, as millions of migrant workers build the infrastructure.”
These warnings come shortly after FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited Saudi Arabia with former U.S. President Donald Trump to attend a joint investment forum.
While FIFA has reiterated its commitment to human rights, HRW accuses the organization of failing to act decisively after similar worker deaths ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Access to reliable data in Saudi Arabia is difficult due to restrictions on human rights groups and the absence of labor unions.
HRW interviewed families of 31 deceased workers from Bangladesh, India, and Nepal who suffered fatal accidents such as falls from heights, electrocutions, or being crushed by machinery. Heat-related risks also remain a major concern amid accelerated construction activity.
In one tragic incident earlier this year, Pakistani foreman Muhammad Arshad fell to his death while working on a stadium in Al Khobar—marking the first reported fatality linked to World Cup construction in Saudi Arabia.
Although the Saudi government claims that workplace deaths have declined and FIFA has acknowledged labor reforms since 2018, the global construction workers' union BWI argues otherwise. The union cites a troubling rise in preventable incidents caused by “systematic negligence, corruption, and poor oversight.”
FairSquare highlighted a major flaw in the Saudi medical system: the infrequent use of autopsies to determine exact causes of death. Co-director James Lynch condemned the lack of accountability and described FIFA’s human rights commitments as a “sham.”
“Hundreds of thousands of men, many with young families, are forced into a system that endangers their lives, fails to explain their deaths, and denies their families justice,” Lynch said. “Meanwhile, FIFA and Western firms help polish Saudi Arabia’s image while ignoring the human cost.”
In response, FIFA has stated plans to establish a dedicated worker welfare system for World Cup-related sites, promising mandatory standards and enforcement mechanisms. However, rights groups say no clear details have been provided.
HRW insists that all migrant worker deaths—regardless of cause or location—must be thoroughly investigated. “Families of deceased workers deserve truth, justice, and fair compensation,” the organization said.
While Saudi authorities point to progress in occupational safety, rights advocates remain skeptical, urging immediate and transparent reforms to prevent further loss of life.
Leave A Comment