FIFA assures of protection
Though the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has assured that the 2034 World Cup host, Saudi Arabia, has committed to protecting workers’ rights during the construction stage, the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) insists enduring labour reforms are needed to guarantee the protection of black workers in the country.
In his reaction to a letter written to the workers’ union by FIFA Secretary General, Mattias Grafstrôm, on the allegation of labour abuse by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, General Secretary of ITUC-Africa, Joel Odigie, argued that a mere commitment is not enough, but that Saudis’ labour market and industrial milieus must be process-driven, inclusive, collaborative and genuine.
His words: “The World Cup has been awarded to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) but the concerns for human and labour rights remain. ITUC-Africa appreciates FIFA’s response but is concerned that the commitments made by FIFA will be unrealised if the needed reforms in the KSA’s labour market and industrial milieus are not process-driven, inclusive, collaborative and genuine.”
Odigie maintained that the ITUC-Africa remains focussed on its campaign for fair labour and human rights practice until it sees, feels and measures tangible changes in KSA’s laws and practices, insisting that black lives must be respected and valued as those of other races.
In its letter from its Zurich headquarters dated 21 January 2025, Grafstrôm reiterated the global football body’s firm commitment to integrating respect for human rights across its tournaments in line with its responsibility under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as well as its own human rights policy.
He claimed FIFA has implemented far-reaching human rights due diligence measures in the context of its tournaments since 2016 and that it would continue to build on the systems and experiences.
He further stated that it did not intend to deviate from the set standards during the 2034 World Cup.
The FIFA scribe hinted that the bidding process for the FIFA World Cup 2034 included significant human rights-related requirements, in line with the successful process for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“As such, FIFA required bidders to submit several assessments, commitments and strategies about human rights from the bidding member association, governments, host cities as well as stadium authorities. These requirements mandate the entities involved in the preparation and hosting of the competitions to uphold their respective duties and responsibilities under international human rights standards in all activities associated with the tournament,” he said.
He also added that the human rights-related documentation submitted by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation included a commitment to ensuring equitable wages and decent working and living conditions for all individuals involved in the preparation and delivery of the FIFA World Cup, including through the establishment of a workers’ welfare system to monitor compliance with labour rights for tournament-related workers.
The host government has also committed to engaging with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) about its commitment to upholding international labour standards in all activities associated with the competition.
The bidder has also confirmed that there is an existing cooperation programme with the ILO.
On diversity and anti-discrimination, FIFA said Saudi Arabia has committed to ensuring a secure and inclusive tournament environment free from discrimination through the implementation of policies, procedures and educational measures to address discrimination in the tournament context.
On safety and security, FIFA said there is a commitment by the Saudis to ensure the safety of all participants and attendees, whilst abiding by international security standards.
It added: “This includes a commitment to ensuring that the country’s penal code and respective criminal procedures relating to detention and fair trial align with best practice and international standards.”
It said Saudi Arabia also committed to ensuring freedom of expression, including press freedom, in all activities associated with the tournament.
It has also committed to verifying that the policies and practices of the tournament hosts enable both the proper operation of local and international media and the implementation of possible required enhancements.
With the bidding processes now completed, FIFA said it was working collaboratively with its local counterparts to ensure all the commitments are upheld.
It added that the FIFA World Cup will shine a spotlight on Saudi Arabia for the years to come, which can provide an opportunity for actors within the country and beyond to promote positive change.
