ILO to investigate Saudi Arabia’s labor practices ahead of World Cup 2034

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has declared "admissible" a complaint filed by a union against Saudi Arabia, the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, according to ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo on Thursday.

Despite ongoing criticism regarding human and labor rights, FIFA awarded Saudi Arabia the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup last month. This decision reignited concerns similar to those raised during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) filed a complaint with the ILO in June 2024 on behalf of 21,000 alleged victims of severe human rights violations and wage confiscation in Saudi Arabia. The BWI condemned the exploitation of migrant workers, stating that their working and living conditions closely resemble forced labor.

The ILO's Governing Body reviewed the complaint and ruled it admissible in November, Houngbo confirmed during a media briefing. While he refrained from commenting on the specifics of the case, he described Saudi Arabia's statements to the ILO as "very constructive."

The Governing Body has appointed a committee to investigate the complaint further. Concurrently, ILO experts are collaborating with Saudi authorities on advancing decent work standards. Houngbo also announced his upcoming visit to Riyadh in two weeks to attend a conference on labor market issues.

Human Rights Concerns Over World Cup Preparations

Human rights advocates are increasingly worried that the construction projects for the 2034 World Cup could exacerbate existing labor abuses. With more than a dozen stadiums slated for construction, concerns over the exploitation and mistreatment of migrant workers are mounting.

This development underscores growing international scrutiny over Saudi Arabia's labor practices and highlights the global call for improved working conditions ahead of the massive infrastructure projects tied to the World Cup.