Saudi Arabia Worker Abuse: Unions Demand Probe | 2034 World Cup
Saudi Arabia Faces Migrant Worker Abuse Complaint Amid ILO Cooperation
Updated June 05, 2025
The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and its African affiliate have lodged a formal complaint against Saudi Arabia with the International Labour organization (ILO), alleging widespread exploitation and deaths among migrant workers. The move coincides with Saudi Arabia and the ILO renewing their cooperation to advance labor reforms and protections for vulnerable workers.
ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo emphasized the shared commitment to aligning labor policies with international standards. However, trade unions are critical of the ILO’s approach and are calling for urgent international action, including a Commission of Inquiry, to address the abuses.
The ITUC and ITUC Africa cite instances of migrant workers enduring 20-hour workdays, wage theft and physical abuse. Thes allegations highlight the ongoing concerns surrounding migrant worker treatment in the Kingdom, notably as it prepares to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Joel Odigie, General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, condemned the treatment of workers as “disposable” and called for an end to the silence surrounding the enslavement and abuse of migrant workers. The complaint follows a similar action by the Building and Wood workers’ International, focusing on violations of freedom of association.
FIFA previously rejected requests to monitor migrant worker conditions in Saudi Arabia. The focus on labor practices has intensified since Saudi arabia secured the 2034 tournament hosting rights. The ITUC previously dropped a complaint against qatar after promises of reform ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious construction projects, including the Neom project and new World Cup venues, rely heavily on millions of migrant workers, primarily from the subcontinent and Africa. These workers frequently enough face challenges related to the kafala system, which ties them to their employers, limiting their freedom and recourse.
The ITUC asserts that the kafala system deprives workers of freedom and silences complaints, granting employers excessive control. While Saudi Arabia has enacted some reforms on paper, unions remain prohibited. Government minister Ahmed Al Rajhi has stated the Kingdom’s commitment to safeguarding worker rights,including wage protection and rights for domestic workers.
Amnesty International’s Iain Byrne emphasized that any ILO programme must address the core issues of the kafala system to truly transform conditions for migrant workers. The simultaneous filing of the ITUC complaint and the signing of the ILO agreement underscores the meaningful distance Saudi Arabia still needs to travel to protect migrant worker rights.
“Workers are being treated as disposable in Saudi Arabia. They leave alive and return in coffins. Enough is enough. The world cannot stay silent while migrant workers are enslaved, abused and discarded. This is a defining moment for the international community. The ILO must act.”
What’s next
The ILO is expected to review the complaint filed by the ITUC and ITUC Africa. the outcome of this review, and any subsequent actions taken by the ILO, could significantly impact Saudi Arabia’s labor practices and its preparations for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The world will be watching to see if meaningful reforms are implemented to protect vulnerable migrant workers.