Human Rights Watch criticizes Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2034 World Cup, highlighting ignored labor abuses such as forced labor and wage theft. With FIFA on the brink of approving the bid, concerns arise over the treatment of migrant workers who will execute the extensive construction projects. The lack of serious assessments and consultations in the bidding process raises alarms about potential human rights violations.
In a troubling revelation, Human Rights Watch has condemned Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid for systematically neglecting serious labor rights issues. As FIFA prepares to officially sanction the nation’s hosting on December 11, 2024, substantial flaws permeate the submitted documentation, neglecting well-documented worker rights concerns, including forced labor, wage theft, and the oppressive kafala system. Minky Worden, a prominent advocate at Human Rights Watch, decried the oversight, warning that FIFA’s nonchalance could trigger catastrophic human rights violations leading up to the tournament, echoing the injustices witnessed during the Qatar World Cup.
The alarm bells sound vividly against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s ambitions for the 2034 World Cup. A staggering 13.4 million migrant workers – constituting 42% of the nation’s population – are integral to the extensive infrastructure developments necessary for the extravaganza. Yet, the bid documents and assessments woefully lack perspectives and protections for these workers. Criticism has mounted regarding the gaping holes in labor rights protections amid the grand plans for 11 new stadiums and extensive tourism infrastructure driven by Saudi Vision 2030.
As the countdown to FIFA’s 2034 World Cup certification ticks closer, the echoes of historical negligence in protecting worker rights loom large. Without binding commitments to safeguard labor and human rights, FIFA risks exacerbating existing vulnerabilities, potentially ushering in avoidable hardships for countless migrant workers in the shadow of celebrated sporting achievements. The call to action is clear: a thorough examination of human rights is not merely procedural but is essential for ethical sporting.”
Original Source: www.hrw.org
