The Saudi Arabian Minister of Sport, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, has stated that an inquiry has been initiated following the death of a worker at a stadium construction site for the 2034 World Cup. He affirmed that local authorities are addressing the matter `seriously` in light of ongoing apprehension regarding labor rights within the Gulf nation.
Muhammad Arshad, a Pakistani foreman in his mid-thirties, tragically died on March 12 at the Aramco Stadium site in Al Khobar, according to reports from The Guardian. Arshad`s death, resulting from a fall from an elevated section of the construction area, marks the first reported fatality linked to the construction of the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. While the official hosting rights were awarded in December, FIFA`s prior decision in October 2023 effectively designated Saudi Arabia as the host well before the formal announcement.
Speaking on Sunday before the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Formula One event, Prince Al-Faisal, as reported by ESPN, commented, `We treat every incident with utmost seriousness, launching a full investigation to determine the causes.` He acknowledged the unfortunate reality of construction-related accidents, stating, `Regrettably, such incidents occur in construction. We are committed to preventing them… Upon being notified, we promptly initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances, ensuring the implementation of appropriate safety measures to prevent any recurrence at Aramco Stadium. We are actively overseeing the contractors to guarantee adherence to these protocols and to fulfill our global commitments.`
Human rights organizations have voiced strong criticism of FIFA`s decision to grant Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup hosting rights. Their concerns are particularly focused on the potential repercussions of construction projects on migrant workers and local communities.
In a joint statement issued in December, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, among others, highlighted that `Abundant evidence exists today of migrant worker exploitation and racial discrimination, activists facing lengthy prison sentences for peaceful expression, legalized discrimination against women and LGBTI individuals, and forced evictions of residents to facilitate state projects.` They cautioned, `It is clear that without immediate action and comprehensive reforms, the 2034 World Cup will be marred by widespread repression, discrimination, and exploitation.`
In the case of Mr. Arshad, concerns are mounting that his employer, the Belgian construction firm Besix Group, has not complied with Saudi labor laws following his death. Reports indicate that in the days following his passing, Mr. Arshad’s family, including his three young sons aged two to seven, had not received the legally mandated compensation. Furthermore, there are allegations that workers at Aramco Stadium were instructed to erase any video or photographic evidence related to Mr. Arshad`s death and were forbidden from discussing the incident.
Mr. Arshad’s father, Muhammad Bashir, expressed the family’s devastation to The Guardian last month, stating, `We are utterly shattered. The entire family is in shock.` He emphasized the long-term consequences, `This will profoundly impact their lives. Arshad was the sole provider for the family. We will now be responsible for their living and educational needs. We will do our best to support them.`
These concerns about working conditions in Saudi Arabia arise shortly after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where numerous migrant workers died during stadium construction. While Qatari officials reported only three work-related deaths and 37 non-work-related fatalities, it is believed the actual number may be considerably higher. In February 2021, The Guardian estimated that over 6,500 workers perished during the construction of Qatar`s World Cup stadiums, though the precise figure remains uncertain.
Prince Al-Faisal asserts that Saudi authorities have learned valuable lessons from the Qatar World Cup.
`We have learned from that experience,` Prince Al-Faisal stated. `We engaged with Qatari officials to understand their experiences and challenges. We maintain ongoing communication with them and FIFA to determine necessary actions and prioritize worker safety. This is a critical mandate for us, given the significant impact it had on Qatar.`
FIFA has not yet issued a statement regarding Mr. Arshad`s death.
