Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia are dying in distressing and preventable circumstances at their workplaces, including through falls from great heights, electrocution, and, in some reported cases, decapitation, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
The international rights organisation asserts that Saudi authorities have failed to adequately safeguard workers from fatal accidents, to properly investigate such incidents, or to provide timely and sufficient compensation to bereaved families—despite legal obligations concerning life insurance and survivors' benefits.
In a separate but corroborative report released by Fairsquare, a grave lack of effective governmental oversight and procedures for determining the causes of migrant worker deaths was also highlighted.
The situation is reportedly deteriorating as the Kingdom accelerates construction efforts for its 2034 FIFA World Cup preparations and other so-called “giga-projects.” Families of deceased workers have spoken of receiving little to no information from employers or authorities regarding the circumstances of their loved ones’ deaths. Some employers have allegedly refused to pay for the repatriation of bodies, while others have encouraged families to bury their relatives in Saudi Arabia, offering financial inducements to that end.
Employers have also been accused of withholding the belongings and outstanding wages of the deceased workers.
Human Rights Watch conducted interviews with the families of 31 migrant workers from Bangladesh, India, and Nepal—men aged between 23 and 52—who had died while working in Saudi Arabia. Researchers also spoke with two social workers from the workers’ countries of origin who assisted in repatriation, and three current migrant workers who had witnessed fatal incidents. The investigation further involved a review of official documentation, including "No Objection Certificates" (issued by embassies for body repatriation), death certificates, and related records.