"‘Aramco is selling our sweat and blood’: workers in World Cup sponsor’s supply chain faced safety risks, report finds", 21 May 2026

...Shrawan Shah Rauniyar clung to the hope that at least he would be fairly compensated [after] his legs were crushed under a giant metal beam that fell off a forklift, [while] he was working on a project belonging to...Saudi Aramco.

...staff from Saipem...brought him...a blunt message. “Don’t ask us about compensation. We don’t know about it. You’re a contract worker for us. Talk to your employer,” Rauniyar alleges...

Rauniyar...demanded the compensation he was entitled to...but less than three weeks after the accident, he claims staff from the labour supply company “forcefully” took him to the airport and put him on a plane back to Nepal.

Saipem confirmed Rauniyar was injured and said it “ensured full medical assistance” for him...

Rauniyar...worked for a small labour supply company, which sent him to work on a project managed by...Saipem, which in turn was contracted to Aramco.

Rauniyar’s story is one of 23 cases of alleged labour rights abuses among workers employed by Aramco’s contractors and subcontractors in Saudi Arabia documented in a report by...FairSquare....

Aramco...also plays a leading role in the kingdom’s efforts to rebrand itself...notably through sports, where, as one of Fifa’s main sponsors, its name will be plastered all over this summer’s World Cup...

In a statement, Aramco said: “Safety and wellbeing is a core value of the company. Our project guidelines contribute to supporting safe working conditions and straightforward communication channels for raising concerns; and reflect our efforts to conducting business in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.” It said it had introduced a programme to “support the wellbeing of the contractor workforce”.

Saipem said it “takes the health and safety of all people involved in its projects very seriously and strives to act responsibly in every instance, including with regard to workers employed by contractors and subcontractors”.