With its twin skyscrapers 170 kilometers long and its ambition to become a global reference in urban innovation, Neom represents a centerpiece of the “Vision 2030” plan of the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. This colossal project, supposed to host the future flagship stadium for the 2034 World Cup, mobilizes tens of thousands of workers in an isolated region.
Between dream and chaos
But on the ground, everything is not so bright. More than 100,000 workers, mainly from South Asia and other regions, are working on this titanic project. If housing and infrastructure are supposed to meet high standards, the reality is very different, as reported by Wall Street Journal. Makeshift camps, often overcrowded, house some of these workers, where some even sleep in their vehicles. A violent protest in 2023, triggered by the poor quality of meals, illustrates their frustration.
The dangers don’t stop there: accidents are frequent. Children as young as 8 have been seen driving trucks, and the sometimes chaotic roads at the site have already caused deaths. In 2022, an independent report pointed to a glaring lack of road safety, and despite efforts since then, the situation remains worrying.
Neom’s ambitions leave no room for error, but the human challenges are considerable. Incidents on the construction site include fights, suicides, serious violence, and even drug trafficking. According to internal documents, these problems are poorly managed, with security teams often being overwhelmed or insufficiently trained.
Even emergency infrastructure is struggling to keep up. An internal study from 2022 mentioned “ catastrophic risks » for employees. Although a hospital and ambulances are now available on site, response times remain problematic in this remote region.
For white-collar workers, housed in much more comfortable camps with swimming pools, trendy cafes and gyms, the experience is very different. But even they experience isolation. Traveling between the camps and neighboring towns, located several hours away, has already cost the lives of consultants.
Neom, in search of perfection, has nevertheless improved certain aspects. A road safety campaign has been launched, and training programs aim to reduce accidents. But the scale of the problems shows that there is still a long way to go.
Beyond logistical issues, the project is also criticized for the forced displacement of local tribes like the Huwaitat. These expulsions, sometimes violent, are a reminder of the human cost of grandiose visions of power.
As the world waits to see whether Neom will deliver on its promises of modernity, many wonder whether Saudi Arabia will be able to reconcile its ambitions with respect for the rights of workers and local populations. Behind the futuristic skyscrapers stands a construction site where everything is not yet up to the stated ideals.
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