Migrant Worker Dies at 2034 World Cup Stadium Site
A migrant worker has tragically died while working on the construction of a new stadium slated for the 2034 World Cup, investigations reveal.
Incident Details at Aramco Stadium
Muhammad Arshad, a Pakistani national, suffered a fatal fall from an elevated section of the Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar on March 12. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed the incident occurred during the stadium’s construction in the eastern city.
First Known Fatality Linked to 2034 Tournament
This marks the first reported death of a migrant worker associated with the 2034 World Cup project. It occurs just three months after Saudi Arabia was officially designated as the host nation for the tournament by FIFA.
Human Rights Concerns Raised
The decision to award hosting rights to Saudi Arabia faced strong criticism from human rights organizations. These groups had previously voiced concerns about the potential dangers migrant workers would encounter on World Cup construction sites. Amnesty International, among others, had cautioned about the risks of exploitation and fatalities among these workers.
Construction Firm Confirms Death, Details Incident
Besix Group, a Belgian multinational construction company, acknowledged Arshad’s death. Their subsidiary, Six Construct, is a primary contractor for the stadium project.
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In a statement, Besix explained that “a trio of workers” were performing formwork operations at height when their platform “tilted.” The company stated that while all workers had fall-arrest systems, one worker was not secured to an anchor point and fell, suffering critical injuries. Emergency services responded immediately, but “the worker regrettably died from his injuries in hospital.”
Questions Remain About Worker’s Tenure
The duration of Arshad’s employment at the stadium remains unclear. Reports indicate he held a foreman position. Social media posts place him at the site as early as last September.
Allegations of Orders to Delete Footage
Following the incident, workers were reportedly summoned to a meeting and instructed to delete any video recordings of the event and refrain from discussing it, according to a source who claimed to be present.
Besix addressed these allegations, stating: “Out of respect for the deceased’s family, workers were requested not to distribute images depicting the aftermath of the unfortunate accident on social media.”
Company Pledges Cooperation with Inquiry
“Safety is, and remains, our utmost priority,” Besix affirmed. “Authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation, and we are fully cooperating to ascertain the precise circumstances of this tragedy,” the company added.
Family Mourns Loss, Seeks Support
Arshad’s remains were repatriated to Pakistan on Tuesday, and he has been laid to rest near his family home in the country’s north-western region. “Our world has collapsed. The entire family is in deep shock,” expressed Arshad’s father, Muhammad Bashir.
Impact on Arshad’s Family
Arshad, in his mid-thirties, is survived by three sons between the ages of two and seven. Bashir noted the devastating long-term impact on his grandchildren’s lives, stating, “Arshad’s earnings were their sole source of sustenance. We will be responsible for their upkeep and education. We will endeavor to provide for their needs.”
Compensation and Support
Bashir stated on Monday he had not yet received direct contact from his son’s employer. However, a relative in Saudi Arabia assured him the family would receive Arshad’s due salary and benefits.
Saudi labor laws mandate employer compensation in cases of workplace fatalities. Besix stated they have initiated measures to support the family and ensure all payments are “handled promptly and respectfully.”
Stadium Construction and Labor Conditions
Construction of the 47,000-seat Aramco Stadium is significantly advanced, employing thousands of migrant workers, largely from Bangladesh and Pakistan, across two shifts daily. Aramco, the state-owned petroleum company and FIFA’s most profitable sponsor, is developing the venue.
Past Concerns over Worker Treatment
A previous investigation highlighted severely abusive conditions for some migrant workers at the stadium. Workers reported incurring substantial debt from illegal recruitment fees paid to secure employment in Saudi Arabia. They also described living in poor, cramped accommodations and working ten-hour shifts in extreme summer heat (45C/113F) for meager wages, some of which were allegedly delayed for months.
Broader Construction Boom and Migrant Labor
World Cup-related construction is part of a larger construction surge in Saudi Arabia, driven by the kingdom’s efforts to reshape its global image. This extensive building activity relies heavily on a large workforce of low-paid migrant laborers primarily from South Asia.
Besix Claims Commitment to Worker Rights
Besix stated they have “made considerable progress” in safeguarding worker rights throughout their operations. The company added that subcontractors are required to adhere to welfare standards covering “the entire spectrum of workers’ welfare, from safety and wages to living conditions.” While acknowledging “some local contexts have proven challenging,” Besix maintains they have taken further actions to improve these standards. “Our priority is to ensure all workers are treated with dignity and fairness,” they asserted.
Aramco Emphasizes Safety and Well-being
Aramco, the local stadium project contractor, stated that employee safety and well-being is “our highest priority.”
“The company adheres to industry best practices in managing and reporting incidents, including determining the facts, sequence of events, and root causes,” Aramco’s statement concluded.
FIFA’s Silence
FIFA has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding this incident.
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