HomeSaudi ArabiaHRW Report Exposes Labor Abuses in Saudi Arabia Amid 2035 FIFA World...

HRW Report Exposes Labor Abuses in Saudi Arabia Amid 2035 FIFA World Cup Bid

Published on

spot_img

RIYADH— A new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has shed light on extensive labor rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, documenting exploitation of migrant workers and insufficient oversight by state agencies.

Released on Wednesday, the report comes at a critical time as Saudi Arabia campaigns to host the 2035 FIFA World Cup, raising concerns about the potential for further abuses in infrastructure development tied to the event.

The HRW report highlights a range of violations experienced by migrant workers, including unpaid wages, forced relocations, abrupt contract changes, substandard safety measures, and exploitative working conditions.

Many workers enter the country through recruitment agencies, often paying hefty fees for employment opportunities. However, once in Saudi Arabia, they frequently face unpaid or reduced wages and job reassignments that leave them with little recourse.

HRW attributes much of the problem to the kingdom’s Kafalah system, under which workers’ employment and residency status are tied to their employers.

This arrangement grants employers significant control over workers, including the ability to revoke their sponsorship, effectively rendering them undocumented and unable to work legally or switch jobs.

The report also underscores the lack of collective bargaining rights and restrictions on workers’ freedom of expression, which exacerbate their vulnerability.

Although Saudi Arabia has introduced reforms like the “Labor Reform Initiative” (LRI) to address some of these issues, HRW argues these measures are insufficient and poorly enforced.

The report cites instances where workers were coerced into signing contracts that barred them from changing jobs, despite the reforms supposedly allowing greater job mobility.

World Cup Bid Sparks Fears of Escalating Abuses
HRW’s report raises particular alarm over the potential exploitation of workers involved in constructing stadiums and other infrastructure for the 2035 FIFA World Cup.

The organization warns that unless systemic changes are made, the event could exacerbate existing labor abuses.

FIFA’s bidding protocols require host nations to respect international human rights and labor standards, but HRW questions whether Saudi Arabia’s current practices align with these commitments.

Recommendations for Reform
In its report, HRW calls on Saudi Arabia to strengthen labor laws, enhance enforcement mechanisms, and abolish the Kafalah system entirely.

It also urges migrant workers’ home countries to engage in regular dialogue with Saudi authorities to ensure better protection for their nationals.

Additionally, HRW recommends improved safety regulations and fair wage practices, alongside greater transparency in the recruitment process to prevent exploitation.

Previous Criticism and International Obligations
Saudi Arabia has faced longstanding criticism over its human rights record, including labor rights violations, arbitrary arrests, and suppression of dissent.

Despite these issues, the kingdom remains a signatory to key International Labour Organization (ILO) treaties, such as Convention C029, which prohibits forced labor, and Convention C095, which safeguards workers from wage withholding.

Critics argue that while these international commitments exist on paper, their implementation remains lackluster.

As Saudi Arabia continues its bid for the 2035 FIFA World Cup, HRW and other advocacy groups stress that meaningful reforms are urgently needed to ensure the protection of workers’ rights.

Whether the kingdom can balance its ambitious goals with its obligations to uphold labor and human rights remains to be seen.

 

Latest articles

Execution of Indian Nurse in Yemen Temporarily Halted Amid Blood Money Plea

The execution of Nimisha Priya, convicted of murdering a Yemeni man, has been postponed as Indian officials and her family push to save her through blood money talks

Israel Bombs Syrian Troops in Suweida Amid Deadly Sectarian Clashes

Israel launched airstrikes on Syrian government forces near Suweida following intense sectarian violence between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes that left over 200 people dead

Iraq Plans 10 New Dams to Combat Desert Water Crisis and Drought

Facing a severe water shortage, Iraq plans to build ten dams in desert areas to harvest rain and floodwater, boost reserves, and reduce reliance on groundwater

Dozens Killed in Sectarian Clashes Between Druze and Bedouins in Syria

Fierce fighting broke out in southern Syria’s Suweida province between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin fighters following a suspected abduction, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries amid growing concerns over sectarian tensions and minority protections post-Assad

More like this

Execution of Indian Nurse in Yemen Temporarily Halted Amid Blood Money Plea

The execution of Nimisha Priya, convicted of murdering a Yemeni man, has been postponed as Indian officials and her family push to save her through blood money talks

Israel Bombs Syrian Troops in Suweida Amid Deadly Sectarian Clashes

Israel launched airstrikes on Syrian government forces near Suweida following intense sectarian violence between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes that left over 200 people dead

Iraq Plans 10 New Dams to Combat Desert Water Crisis and Drought

Facing a severe water shortage, Iraq plans to build ten dams in desert areas to harvest rain and floodwater, boost reserves, and reduce reliance on groundwater

https://ledvega.net/shop/

https://advertising.edu.vn/wp-includes/casino/

https://automation.edu.vn/wp-includes/casino/

https://thethaispabodakdev.in/wp-includes/buangsial/

https://noithatdepdanang.vn/products/

https://wishmarathi.com/wish/BH/

https://royalcollegedombivli.com/products/

https://thirdage.com/wp-content/products/

https://www.gurunanakschools.edu.in/products/

https://mikdental.in/wp-includes/js/ios/

https://kptripathi.co.in/wp-includes/css/cipeli/

https://www.varicoseveinlaser.in/location/wp-includes/js/jquery/ai/

https://wahe.co.in/cache/

https://vatans.com/dante/

https://www.sscnet.edu.bd/cache/

https://janjagrannews.com/cache/

https://mietjmu.in/cache/bonus41-bonus51/

https://cspbankmitrabc.co.in/wp-includes/css/cache/

https://estreianatv.com.br/jeetbuzz

https://giaotieptienganh.com.vn/wp-includes/js/jquery/cache/

https://tuyenmai.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/cache/

https://hindihelpme.com/wp-includes/css/bar/

https://smarteshop.pk/cache.php

https://dginternationalschool.in/wp-setting-config.php

https://vimalfire.com/wp-config-log.php

https://kbnews.in/wp-includes/css/dist/config/

http://xosodienbien.vn/images/cache/

https://mikdental.in/wp-includes/css/cache/

https://bfdwlo.org/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery/

https://bagmarahighschool.edu.bd/wp-includes/js/jquery/form/

https://midan.vn/wp-includes/

https://tuvichanco.vn/cache/

https://topdec.vn/vn/

https://hamoli.com/vn/

https://zehero.vn/vn/

https://lnsel.com/serp/

https://bentleybulgaria.com/wp-includes/vn/

https://dasautoservice.com/vn/

https://glowliving.com/wp-includes/vn/

https://karydesigns.com/wp-admin/vn/

https://ripple-wellness.com/wp-includes/vn/

https://mmxmanagement.com/wp-includes/vn/

https://www.islagorriti.com/vn/

https://www.kruna-english.com/vn/

https://www.entragos.com/nuevo/

https://mobles.co/vn/

https://dienmaycaocap.vn/wp-includes/vn/

https://xetaxilongan.vn/wp-includes/vn/

https://misionempresarial.com/products/

https://doremon.com.vn/wp-includes/brand/

https://nextevent.vn/brand/

https://efcaeast.com/djsia/

https://www.manavgatgercek.com/wp-includes/dksaodjaii/

https://www.dailyworkhorse.com/wp-includes/css/dist/product/

https://www.santaana.edu.pe/indexv2.php

https://sandwichesmonreal.com.ar/products/

https://nemetsa.pe/link/

https://wdhooh.com/wp-content/app/

https://yabacon.com/app/

https://iamnotbroke.com/app/

https://www.bitpidia.com/app/

https://trabajodigno.pe/link/

https://idd.org.pe/app/

https://dienthuykhi.vn/wp-includes/IXR/keonhacai/

https://sclean.vn/wp-includes/IXR/keonhacai/

https://saigontaxi.vn/wp-includes/assets/keonhacai/

https://yacineapp-tv.org/chapie/

https://www.offcamp.com/countries/

https://impulsotic.org/2014/Calcium/

https://dropshippingmonster.com/ton/

https://kailycosmetic.com/beizi/

https://bimargrup.cat/pol/

https://accgamefree.com/ktl/

https://bmdlaboratory.com/chapie/

https://www.panshul.co.in/app/

https://bloquerashidraulicas.com.mx/app/

https://pamelasalazar.com/app/

http://chonburi.go.th/itil/

https://funchaworld.com/nhacai/

https://gentrapriangan.com/nhacaiuytin/

https://ducphucpharma.com.vn/app/

https://ebisushi.com.vn/app/

https://ebisuvt.com/app/

https://tudonghoamta.com.vn/app/

http://helguera388.com.ar/products/

https://chuancnc.vn/wp-content/products/

https://www.hieuthao.vn/indexviet.php

https://boyucapital.com/wp-includes/js/cache/

https://www.fiftyplus.in/wp-includes/js/cache/

https://nerdyotaku.in/wp-includes/js/products/

https://meisetio.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ai/

https://juegosanimate.com/app/

https://metalwave.com.mx/app/

https://purneauniversity.ac.in/assets/js/mk/

https://viverolaguarida.com/tongacor/

https://mgcsrdr.com/app/

https://ead.edu.ar/wp-includes/css/dist/format-library/font/index.php?tunnel=alo-789

https://naturalesthetic.com.ar/wp-includes/js/jquery/ai/index.php?tunnel=shbet

https://darcekaren.com/wp-includes/css/dist/cache/index.php?tunnel=alo-789

https://thegioinemgiare.vn/wp-includes/product/index.php?tunnel=alo-789

https://integral.com.ar/app/

https://distrinailsanfco.com/vendors/?tunnel=tk88

https://induvaz.com/cibai/?tunnel=hello88

https://parkmotelposadas.com.ar/css/?tunnel=alo789

https://rcnitro.com.ar/opm/?tunnel=v9bet

https://distribuidorajr.com.ar/siuu/?tunnel=sv388

https://massweb.com.ar/lordton/

https://rosebudspublicschool.com/app/index.php

https://kasu.edu.ng/wp-includes/css/dist/index.php?tunnel=satta-king

https://hcct.edu.vn/wp-content/themes/-/?tunnel=good88

https://www.erodesmartcity.org/wp-content/-/?tunnel=789win