A trade union organisation that represents 18 million African workers has submitted a complaint to the United Nations against labour practices in Saudi Arabia. It has called for “immediate and decisive action” with the country poised to be granted World Cup hosting rights next month.

In an account that collates claims of malpractice and abuse alongside testimonies from migrant workers, the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) argues that “the relentless cycle of abuse and exploitation mark the daily existence of African migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.

“These workers, who play a crucial role in the economies of both their home countries and Saudi Arabia, face relentless exploitation, including wage theft, forced labour, unsafe working conditions and egregious violations of their dignity and rights under the Kafala system.

“Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 Fifa World Cup raises severe concerns about the potential escalation of these abuses. Without immediate and decisive action, the situation is likely to worsen, resulting in more preventable deaths and further violations of human and labour rights. The treatment of African migrant workers in Saudi Arabia represents a clear and egregious violation of international human rights laws, most notably the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”...

ITUC-Africa says it was able to work constructively with Qatari officials before and after the 2022 World Cup to help improve conditions for African workers in the country. But with trade unions and external NGOs not recognised in Saudi Arabia, there has been no such process enabled in the country.

“Saudi Arabia’s treatment of migrant workers encourages whimsical and egregious human and labour rights violations,” said Akhator Joel Odigie, the general secretary of ITUC-Africa. “The abuse against African migrant workers is worse, profound and gut-wrenching. The abuse in law and practice gives strong credence to the growing assertion that black lives are cheap, expendable and do not matter in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“We focus on Saudi Arabia because we want to drive a domino effect of progressive labour migration reform in the Middle East. A genuine, collaborative, inclusive and successful labour law reform in Saudi Arabia will be akin to driving ‘water from the hill to the valley’.”

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