Pakistani migrant worker dies building World Cup stadium in Saudi
What's the story
A migrant worker from Pakistan died while working on the new stadium for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, the Guardian reported.
Pakistani migrant Mohammad Arshad fell to his death from an upper level of the Aramco Stadium on March 12.
This is the first reported death of a migrant worker working on the stadium.
The tragedy comes three months after FIFA announced Saudi Arabia as the host for the prestigious tournament.
Safety issues
Arshad's death raises concerns about worker safety
Arshad's death has also brought to light the safety of migrant workers at World Cup construction sites.
Human rights organizations had warned earlier that the workers would be at high risk, with Amnesty International warning, "Migrant workers will face exploitation and many will die."
The death of Arshad was confirmed by Besix Group, a Belgian multinational construction company and one of the main contractors for the stadium.
Incident details
Circumstances surrounding Arshad's death
The group said a team of three workers was engaged in formwork operations at height "when the platform they were working on tilted."
All three were wearing personal fall-arrest systems, but one wasn't tethered to an anchor point and fell down, suffering severe injuries.
Emergency services were immediately alerted, but "the worker sadly succumbed to his injuries," Besix said.
The 47,000-seater stadium is already in advanced stages of construction, with thousands of workers from Bangladesh and Pakistan working two shifts.
Aftermath
Arshad's body returned to Pakistan amid controversy
It is unknown how long Arshad had been working at the stadium as a foreman. Posts on social media show him on site since last September.
After his death, workers were reportedly told to delete any video footage of the incident and not discuss it with anyone, an eyewitness said.
But Besix said that "out of respect for the victim's family," workers were asked not to share images of the tragic accident on social media.
Family response
Arshad's family in shock, seeks compensation
Arshad's father said the family was shocked by news of his death.
"We have just fallen from the sky to the ground. The whole family is in a state of shock," Muhammad Bashir told The Guardian.
Arshad, in his mid-30s and father to three sons aged between two and seven, was their sole earner.
They would now have to manage their living and educational expenses, Bashir said.
Support measures
Besix assures support for Arshad's family
Bashir said he hadn't been contacted directly by his son's employer till now, but a relative in Saudi Arabia had assured him that his family would be given Arshad's pending salary and benefits.
According to Saudi labor law, employers must pay compensation in case of death while on duty.
Besix said it had taken measures to support the family and ensure all payments were "handled in a timely and respectful manner."