Human rights groups have warned that the World Cup will once again be marred by the death and suffering of low-paid workers unless FIFA takes urgent action to ensure Saudi Arabia addresses widespread abuses of its migrant workforce.
As the only bidder, Saudi Arabia is almost certain to be named by FIFA this year to host the 2034 World Cup, but the human rights group says “labor cannot afford a repeat of Qatar in 2022”.
Minky Warden, Director of Global Initiatives at Human Rights Watch, said: “FIFA has shown that holding a mega-billion-dollar event without meaningful due diligence or transparency is a serious threat to immigrant workers.” “Lessons have yet to be learned that can cost lives and pose serious human rights risks.” ”
The warning comes in response to a Guardian investigation that found evidence of numerous unexplained deaths of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. At least 13,685 Bangladeshis died in Saudi Arabia between 2008 and 2022, according to records kept by the Bangladeshi government. More than 1,500 Bangladeshis will die in 2022 alone, a rate of more than four per day.
It is unclear whether the mortality rate is proportional to the large number of Bangladeshis. Half a million People moving to Saudi Arabia in 2023.
However, the Guardian reports that three-quarters of Bangladeshi migrant workers who died in Saudi Arabia in 2022 were not provided for by Saudi authorities, despite all migrant workers being required to pass a medical examination beforehand. It was discovered that the death was recorded as a “natural death” by the Bangladeshi government based on the evidence that the death occurred. Depart for the Gulf Kingdom. The average age of those who died was 44 years.
Death certificates issued by Saudi authorities and seen by the Guardian often do not mention the underlying cause of death. Human rights groups say this makes the deaths virtually unexplained. Experts say the harsh living and working conditions, extreme heat and extreme stress endured by many workers may be contributing to these deaths.
The pipeline of workers from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia is expected to increase dramatically if the country is named by FIFA to host the 2034 World Cup.
Like Qatar, Saudi Arabia relies heavily on migrant workers, primarily from parts of South Asia and Africa. Over 13 million Bangladeshis are the largest nationality among non-Saudi residents, reaching more than 2 million people in 2022.
Although Saudi Arabia has introduced some limited Work style reform The risks faced by low-wage migrant workers are likely to increase if Saudi Arabia wins the World Cup in recent years.
In the run-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA faced severe criticism over abuses by low-paid migrant workers, amid reports of deaths, forced labor and exploitative working conditions among migrant workers.
Ella Knight, a migrant workers’ rights researcher at Amnesty International, called on Saudi authorities to crack down on all “unexplained” deaths, given the evidence linking premature deaths to unsafe working conditions. asked for an investigation. “These workers cannot afford a repeat of Qatar 2022 and all the suffering it was built on.”
Amnesty International said the findings should put greater pressure on FIFA to explain how Saudi Arabia can comply with the human rights and labor standards expected of a host nation. A final decision on holding the tournament is expected to be made by the end of this year.
“FIFA now needs to clarify how it expects organizers to comply with its regulations.” human rights policy” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s economic and social justice director. “They must also be prepared to halt the bidding process if they cannot ensure that serious human rights risks are addressed.”
Sports & Rights Alliance Said FIFA has already lost the leverage it had to demand binding human rights commitments from Saudi Arabia by effectively awarding Saudi Arabia a non-competitive World Cup.
Despite the Gulf Kingdom’s announcement that it had been abolished. kafala Mr Knight said FIFA must demand “credible assurances” that the system, which ties workers to their employers, will be completely dismantled.
In a statement, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development listed the progress the country has made in recent years on worker rights. kafala These include the introduction of a wage protection system, and measures to regulate the recruitment of immigrant workers.
“We are committed to continuous improvement of our labor practices and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the welfare and rights of all workers in the Kingdom,” the statement said.
“We maintain strong regulations and standards to protect workers’ rights, and all workplace incidents are thoroughly investigated,” it said, adding, “All workplace incidents are thoroughly investigated. The body will be treated in accordance with international standards and the autopsy will be carried out with the utmost care.” This will be done if necessary.
“Death certificates are issued transparently in accordance with established and regulated procedures. Any suggestion of negligence or lack of transparency in this regard is unfounded.”
Despite repeated attempts, FIFA did not respond to requests for comment.
