Widespread Abuses Against Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia Documented by Human Rights Watch
A new report from Human Rights Watch reveals severe labor abuses faced by migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, particularly in high-profile giga-projects. The 79-page report, titled “Die First, and I’ll Pay You Later,” highlights systemic exploitation, including forced labor, wage theft, and inadequate protections against extreme heat.
The report is based on interviews with over 155 migrant workers and their families. It details how workers are burdened with exorbitant recruitment fees and face violations of their employment contracts. One worker recounted, “I was paid on time for the first two months, but never thereafter,” illustrating the pervasive wage theft.
Despite the 2021 Labor Reform Initiative aimed at easing job transfers, many workers encounter barriers that abusive employers exploit. Some are coerced into signing agreements that require them to pay their previous employers to change jobs. A NEOM project worker reported paying over 12,000 riyals (approximately US$3,200) just to switch employment.
The report also highlights dangerous working conditions, particularly related to extreme heat, with workers often fainting on-site. Human Rights Watch noted that 884 Bangladeshis died in Saudi Arabia between January and July 2024, many deaths attributed to unexplained causes.
FIFA is set to confirm Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 Men’s World Cup on December 11, 2024, without requiring binding human rights commitments. Human Rights Watch criticized FIFA’s lack of due diligence, emphasizing that the ongoing abuses will have dire consequences for migrant workers and their families. The organization urged Saudi authorities to implement promised labor reforms effectively to protect workers’ rights.
