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The family of Mohammad Arshad, a migrant worker who tragically lost his life while constructing the Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, continues to face significant delays in receiving compensation nearly a year after his death. Arshad’s fatal fall from a high platform on 12 March 2025 has sparked concerns among human rights groups regarding the treatment of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, particularly in light of the country’s ambitious World Cup plans.
Fatal Incident Raises Alarm
Mohammad Arshad’s death marked a grim milestone as the first known fatality among migrant workers linked to the upcoming World Cup. The incident occurred when the platform he was working on unexpectedly tilted, resulting in his fall. Despite promises from Besix, the Belgian construction firm overseeing the project, to expedite all payments related to Arshad’s death, his family has yet to receive the compensation they are entitled to, which could amount to £63,250, along with his outstanding wages and end-of-service benefits.
The tragedy has illuminated the precarious conditions faced by many workers engaged in large-scale construction projects in the Gulf region. Arshad, who left behind a wife and three young sons in Pakistan, is not alone in his family’s plight; human rights advocates warn that there may be thousands of unexplained migrant worker deaths associated with World Cup preparations and other major developments in Saudi Arabia.
Complications in Compensation
Arshad’s family, residing in Mansehra, Pakistan, approximately two hours north of Islamabad, indicates that their only financial support since his passing has come from a voluntary donation by his colleagues, supplemented by matched funding from Besix. Local political figures, including Sardar Manzoor, have voiced their frustration over the extensive delays faced by the family. Manzoor, who regarded Arshad as a brother, highlighted the reliance of many families in the region on remittances from migrant work, stating, “It’s only their remittances that keep the economy afloat.”
In a statement to The Update Desk, Besix asserted that the end-of-service benefits have been transferred to the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation and should be disbursed soon, contingent on the family providing the necessary documentation. The company also indicated that they are assisting the family in completing the forms required for the insurance compensation to be processed.
Systemic Issues for Migrant Workers
The drawn-out process for compensation highlights the significant bureaucratic obstacles that families of deceased migrant workers face in Saudi Arabia. James Lynch, director of the human rights organisation FairSquare, pointed out that Arshad’s case is emblematic of the struggles many families encounter in securing the compensation they are owed following workplace accidents. He expressed concern over the burdensome nature of the current system, which often leaves families without the financial support they desperately need.
Lynch has called on FIFA to take a more active role in advocating for the rights of migrant workers, insisting that the organisation cannot distance itself from the implications of their decision to award the World Cup to Saudi Arabia, particularly in light of its questionable human rights record. He stated, “FIFA has recklessly awarded the World Cup to Saudi Arabia after a sham human rights assessment process. That means they cannot escape their responsibility for the massive construction programme that will result.”
Why it Matters
The situation surrounding Mohammad Arshad’s death and the subsequent delays in family compensation underscore the broader issues of migrant worker rights in Saudi Arabia. As the kingdom prepares for the World Cup, it is imperative that international bodies like FIFA address these systemic barriers to ensure that the rights and lives of migrant workers are respected and protected. The ongoing struggle for Arshad’s family serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost behind major sporting events and the urgent need for reform in labour practices across the region.
