Fifa’s recent evaluations of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup received criticism from human rights groups. While Saudi Arabia received a high score for its bid, concerns were raised about the human rights risks involved in hosting the tournament. Additionally, Fifa’s decision not to compensate migrant workers who suffered severe labor abuses in Qatar related to the 2022 World Cup sparked backlash.
Human rights organizations have expressed frustration over Fifa’s lack of action and fear that migrant workers in Saudi Arabia will face similar exploitation as those in Qatar. Thousands of low-wage migrant workers in Qatar faced harsh conditions, including passport confiscation, nonpayment of wages, and inhumane living conditions leading to hundreds of deaths.
Saudi Arabia, like Qatar, plans to rely on migrant workers to build infrastructure for the World Cup, raising concerns about their treatment and safety. Human rights groups have called for reforms to protect these workers from exploitation and abuse.
Recent reports of labor rights violations among Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia highlight the urgent need for action to address these issues. Despite promises of improvements from both Saudi authorities and Fifa, workers in Qatar continue to face challenges and hardships, casting doubt on whether the World Cup will truly bring about positive change for migrant workers in the region.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com