Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Rapid Support Forces attack El-Fasher, west Sudan.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One martyr and one wounded in an Israeli drone attack on the town of Hafir, west of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone fired three missiles in the vicinity of the town of Bodai, west of Baalbek.
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.

Saudi Arabia faces forced labor accusations ahead of FIFA WC decision

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Gaurdian
  • 5 Jun 2024 23:26
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

Lodged by the trade union BWI, the complaint alleges that migrant workers in Saudi Arabia are subjected to numerous labor rights violations.

Listen
  • x
  • Saudi Arabia
    A Bengali worker stands over the construction of a mosque minaret as a giant Saudi flag billows in the background, at King Abdullah Square, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP)

Saudi Arabia, the anticipated host for the 2034 World Cup, faces serious allegations of extensive use of forced labor among its substantial migrant workforce, The Guardian news website reported on Wednesday.

These accusations have been formally lodged in a complaint before the United Nations' International Labour Organization (ILO).

The complaint alleges that migrant workers in Saudi Arabia are subjected to numerous labor rights violations, including non-payment of wages, passport confiscation, illegal recruitment fees, debt bondage, and restrictions on changing jobs freely.

'An epidemic of abuses'

The trade union Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), which filed the complaint, described the situation as “an epidemic of abuses,” constituting forced labor, placing Saudi Arabia in violation of its obligations under the UN’s forced labor conventions.

BWI’s complaint includes a survey of 193 migrant workers who had worked or are working in Saudi Arabia, revealing that 65% reported their employer withheld access to personal documents like passports and 63% stated they were unable to terminate their employment with reasonable notice or leave when their contract expired.

"Saudi Arabia, where trade unions are banned, blatantly disregards international labor standards and fails to compensate migrant workers who have suffered abuses for over a decade," indicated Ambet Yuson, BWI’s general secretary.

Representing approximately 12 million workers, BWI is urging the ILO to investigate these alleged violations. The complaint is backed by organizations including, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, and FairSquare, which focuses on human rights abuses related to labor migration and sports.

Related News

Less than 0.5% of human trafficking victims identified last year

US among nations that practice modern slavery: Report

This complaint surfaces just months before the international football governing body FIFA is expected to award the 2034 World Cup hosting rights to Saudi Arabia. This development is likely to increase pressure on FIFA, which already faces calls to disqualify Saudi Arabia from hosting the tournament if it fails to comply with its human rights obligations.

FIFA’s bidding rules for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups require host countries to commit to "respecting internationally recognized human rights."

'Truly historic filing'

"The complaint effectively says that Saudi has no meaningful protections against forced labor," pointed out Minky Worden, HRW’s director of global initiatives.

She highlighted that "this is a truly historic filing and may be the only significant roadblock to Fifa’s coronation of Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host."

"Fifa must answer how it will assess and mitigate migrant labor rights risks as required by its human rights policy," Worden added.

The international football governing body "could provide a much-needed spur for labor reform" by demanding binding human rights agreements before finalizing the 2034 tournament host, emphasized Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of economic and social justice.

He warned that failing to do so would almost certainly ensure forced labor remains integral to its major event.

The Guardian recalled that in 2014, the International Trade Union Confederation filed a similar complaint against Qatar, which led to a partnership between the ILO and the 2022 World Cup host to reform its labor laws.

According to the news website, the process resulted in significant changes, such as largely dismantling the kafala (sponsorship) system in the Gulf country and introducing a minimum wage, though the impact of these reforms remains debated.

The Guardian noted that Saudi Arabia heavily relies on migrant workers, primarily from South Asia and parts of Africa, with over 13 million foreign workers in the country, explaining that these numbers are expected to increase significantly for major construction projects if Saudi Arabia is awarded the World Cup.

Read more: Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 might be lacking a financial vision

  • forced labor
  • International Labour Organization
  • FIFA
  • Migrant workers
  • Saudi Arabia

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
Politics

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

A Russian cargo train arrives at Astara Railway Wharf, March 2018 (IRNA)
Economy

Tehran, Moscow to finalize INSTC rail project next month

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addresses the media after submitting his candidacy for the Islamic Republic's upcoming presidential election in Tehran on June 3, 2024 (AP)
Politics

UNSCR 2231 termination marks major win for Iran’s diplomacy: Qalibaf

ap
Politics

'Israel' killed 40 Palestinian children in West Bank since January: UN

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS