ALQST reports the first migrant worker death at the Neom construction site, highlighting severe human rights abuses and environmental concerns associated with the project. The organization calls for companies involved to recognize their influence and act against these violations. The briefing underlines systemic issues within Saudi Arabia’s treatment of migrant workers, raising an urgent call for accountability.
In a striking exposé on the shadowy world of the Saudi megaproject Neom, human rights organization ALQST has reported the first documented death of a migrant worker on the site. The briefing titled “Neom: A Human Rights and Environmental Impact Assessment” serves as a crucial alert to companies involved in or contemplating collaboration with the project. It outlines a plethora of human rights violations and environmental concerns that accompany the ambitious development spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Celia Le Noe, a project officer at ALQST, stated that the briefing is intended to unveil the discrepancies propagated by Neom’s public relations efforts. It emphasizes the pressing need for businesses to leverage their influence to combat the abuses occurring under the pretext of modernization. “Our research indeed reveals many additional concerns, from labour rights abuses, highlighted by the death of a worker on a construction site, to the devastating environmental impact,” she remarked.
The death of Abdul Wali Skandar Khan, a Pakistani civil engineer who died due to a guardrail collapse, underscores the perilous conditions migrant workers endure while reportedly ignoring corporate accountability. Despite this being the first recorded fatality on the Neom site, both the investigating companies and the Saudi authorities have been criticized for their insufficient response. His brother, Meer Wali Khan, lamented the lack of care for his brother’s memory in a heart-wrenching statement: “At every stage since his death, they have failed to act sufficiently, causing me and my family even more pain and hardship.”
ALQST’s report does not shy away from addressing the broader implications of Neom, suggesting that it symbolizes a manipulative effort by Saudi authorities to project a modern image while concealing a troubling legacy of repression and human rights violations. Amidst allegations of forced evictions and systemic migrant worker deaths, the briefing casts a stark light on the ethical dilemmas facing corporations engaging with the project.
Moreover, environmental concerns are woven into the fabric of this report, with accusations of greenwashing echoing amongst critics who view the sprawling construction as a catalyst for ecological devastation rather than innovation. The document closes with a calling call for corporations to exercise their influence to prevent further human rights abuses in the face of a looming dystopia.
The Neom project, an unprecedented undertaking by Saudi Arabia, aims to create a futuristic urban environment while presenting the nation as a beacon of modernity and globalism. However, this ambitious endeavor has faced vehement criticism due to its human rights violations, particularly pertaining to migrant workers. Reports of forced evictions, labor abuses, and heavy casualties among migrant laborers have surfaced, raising questions about the underlying ethical practices driving this substantial investment. ALQST’s briefing seeks to unveil these pressing issues as it aims to inform companies of the possible ramifications of their involvement with Neom, encouraging them to reconsider their roles in supporting such a project.
In weaving together the narratives of human suffering and environmental degradation, the report by ALQST presents a compelling case against the Neom mega project. Highlighting the first documented death of a migrant worker, the briefing serves as a clarion call for businesses to recognize their moral responsibilities as they engage with a development fraught with ethical dilemmas. As Neom continues to unfold like a double-edged sword, the tension between commercial ambition and humanitarian integrity looms large, urging stakeholders to reflect on the real costs of their enterprises.
Original Source: www.dezeen.com
