AP News reports that a coalition of trade unions has lodged a formal complaint against Saudi Arabia, accusing the nation of severe human rights abuses. The complaint, submitted to the International Labor Organization (ILO), alleges mistreatment and wage theft affecting over 21,000 migrant workers over the past decade. This comes as FIFA prepares to finalize Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup.

Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), the global union behind the complaint, called on the ILO to investigate the alleged abuses. BWI’s statement highlights the exploitative conditions faced by the country’s vast migrant workforce, describing their situation as akin to forced labor. The union detailed allegations of illegal recruitment fees, withholding of wages and passports, restrictions on job mobility, and instances of physical and sexual violence, particularly targeting female and domestic workers.

According to the BWI, “forced labor indicators are rampant.” Feedback from 200 workers revealed debt bondage of 85% of respondents, retention of passports and identity documents at 65%, restrictions on terminating and exiting employment contracts freely at 63%, and withholding of wages at 46%.

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