Before Saudi World Cup, a deal for Indian workers
Hindustan Times Chandigarh|December 19, 2024
INDIA SHOULD NEGOTIATE AGREEMENTS WITH SAUDI ARABIA TO ENSURE BETTER PROTECTION OF MIGRANT WORKERS, PRIORITISING FAIR WAGES, AND SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS
Rejimon Kuttappan

On December 11, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 FIFA Men's World Cup. In its bid evaluation document, FIFA highlights that the country's financial capability to host could potentially surpass Qatar's $200 billion spectacle in 2022. However, trade unions and migrant workers' rights advocates argue that FIFA's decision exposes the body's hollow commitment to human rights.

Saudi Arabia's 2022 census reports that 13.4 million migrants make up 41.6% of its population. The Indian government estimates that 2.6 million of these are Indian.

Like other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Saudi Arabia follows the kafala (visa sponsorship) system, which grants employers excessive control over migrant workers' mobility and legal status, leaving workers highly vulnerable to abuse, including passport confiscation, delayed wages, and other exploitative practices that can amount to forced labour. The government also frequently conducts mass arrests and deportations of undocumented migrant workers. Many workers become undocumented through no fault of their own, often after employers falsely accuse them of "absconding" to avoid accountability for abusive practices. Migrants caught in these situations are denied the opportunity to challenge their detention or deportation.

The 2034 World Cup would require 11 new stadiums, four refurbished ones, over 185,000 new hotel rooms, and extensive upgrades to airports, roads, railways, and bus networks. It is just one piece of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030, involving spending on so-called "megaprojects" and "giga-projects".

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 19, 2024-Ausgabe von Hindustan Times Chandigarh.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 19, 2024-Ausgabe von Hindustan Times Chandigarh.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS HINDUSTAN TIMES CHANDIGARHAlle anzeigen
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

CM Saini: 68K Cases of Crime Against Women in Five Years

A total of 10,262 cases of rape and 6,338 of murder were registered by the Haryana Police from 2019 to 2024.

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Farmers Stage Sit-Ins Outside AAP MLAs' Residences, Offices

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Monday staged sit-ins outside the residences and offices of several AAP legislators across Punjab.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

PAU-KVK Kisan Mela Pushes for Crop Diversification

Ludhiana

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

President Arrives In City For 2-Day Visit

President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Chandigarh on Monday evening for a two-day visit to Punjab and the Union territory.

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Hry Withdraws Bill on Travel Agents

The Haryana Registration and Regulation of the Travel Agents Bill-2024 was withdrawn in the assembly on Monday.

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Man Beaten to Death at Birthday Party

A violent brawl during a birthday party in Mauli Jagran on Sunday night left a 45-year-old man dead after he was brutally beaten up, leading to grievous injuries.

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Vet Varsity Brings Horse Breeders On One Platform

The directorate of extension education of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University organised a meeting of horse breeders from the state on Monday.

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

Amid opposition by traders, UT files caveat in high court

TRADERS OF THE SECTOR 26 GRAIN MARKET HAVE OPPOSED UT'S MOVE TO ALLOW GENERAL PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN THE AUCTION

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

No monument in UT has heritage status: Centre

Only Capitol Complex has a non-statutory status in a niche UNESCO genre dealing with works of Le Corbusier, UNION MINISTRY OF CULTURE

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times Chandigarh

3 MLAs marshalled out after ruckus in House

Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border led to revival of tourism in frontier areas.

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025