Lengthy delays in compensation are ‘emblematic’ of what many relatives of migrant workers go through in the Gulf kingdom, say rights groups
When Mohammad Arshad fell to his death while constructing the first new stadium for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, one of the main stadium contractors, the Belgian construction multinational Besix, promised it would take immediate steps to ensure all end-of-service and insurance payments were, “handled in a timely and respectful manner”.
Almost a year later, Arshad’s family say they have yet to receive either.
Arshad’s death was the first known fatality of a migrant worker linked to the 2034 World Cup, and came after Fifa was heavily criticised for naming the gulf kingdom as tournament host.
Human rights groups have warned there could be thousands of unexplained migrant worker deaths linked to the World Cup and other large-scale construction projects in Saudi Arabia. In its World Cup bid, Saudi Arabia promised to build 11 new stadiums and renovate four for the 2034 tournament.
