Before Saudi World Cup, a deal for Indian workers
Hindustan Times West UP|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".

この蚘事は Hindustan Times West UP の December 19, 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は Hindustan Times West UP の December 19, 2024 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

HINDUSTAN TIMES WEST UPのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
Hindustan Times West UP

Syria Announces End of Operation Against Assad 'Regime Remnants'

Syria's interim government on Monday announced the end of a days-long military operation against insurgents loyal to ousted president Bashar Assad and his family in the worst fighting since the end of the 13-year civil war in December.

time-read
2 分  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times West UP

Rohit-Gill combo gave India edge

Rohit took the match away from us: Santner

time-read
4 分  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times West UP

Courts Can't Award Damages While Hearing Bail Pleas: SC

The Supreme Court has ruled that courts cannot order compensation while adjudicating a bail plea because they lack the jurisdiction to do so in bail proceedings.

time-read
2 分  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times West UP

13 Held for Violence During India's Cricket Win Celebrations in Mhow

Thirteen people have been arrested in connection with clashes in Mhow town of Madhya Pradesh after stone pelting at a rally celebrating the Indian cricket team's victory in the ICC Champions Trophy final, officials said on Monday.

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

Carney set to replace Trudeau as next PM

Former central banker Mark Carney coasted to a landslide victory to become the new leader of the ruling Liberal Party, paving the way for him to succeed Justin Trudeau as Canada's Prime Minister.

time-read
2 分  |
March 11, 2025
Hindustan Times West UP

Indian Shares Fall as US Tariff Concerns Keep Investors on Edge

Indian shares ended lower on Monday, with the broader market seeing sharper cuts as concerns over U.S. tariffs and the ongoing market decline kept investors on edge.

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

Sun Pharma to Buy US Oncology Firm for $355 Million

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. has agreed to buy US-based immunotherapy and oncology firm Checkpoint Therapeutics Inc. for an upfront payment of $355 million, as India's largest drug-maker bolsters its specialty therapy portfolio.

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

Cyber fraud losses have surged 10-fold in a decade, says Finmin

Losses due to cyber frauds have surged nearly 10-fold in a decade, Pankaj Chaudhary, minister of state in the finance ministry, said on Monday.

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

Ram Mandir Construction Committee's Tenure to End This Year

Amid delays, the Ram Mandir Construction Committee has decided to expedite the construction works in Ram Janmabhoomi and complete them before the completion of its tenure by the end of this year, the committee's chairman Nripendra Misra said on Sunday.

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

Experts warn of addiction risks in pain medicine usage

As advancements in pain relief and rehabilitation medicine continue, medical experts caution that prolonged use of certain pain medications, including opioids like morphine, may lead to addiction, making it difficult for patients to quit.

time-read
1 min  |
March 11, 2025