Neom, the flagship giga-project of Saudi Vision 2030, is once again in the spotlight as its CEO, Nadhmi al-Nasr, departs amid reports of financial challenges and alarming worker fatalities. A statement on Neom’s website confirmed his exit but did not provide reasons. Aiman Al-Mudaifer now serves as acting CEO as the project transitions into a “new phase of delivery.”
This leadership shakeup follows an ITV documentary revealing harsh labor conditions and over 21,000 migrant worker deaths in Saudi Arabia since Vision 2030 began eight years ago. Many fatalities reportedly involve workers from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal employed on Vision 2030 initiatives, including Neom’s ambitious developments like The Line, Oxagon, Trojena, Magna, and The Islands of Neom.
The documentary detailed workers enduring 84-hour weeks and substandard conditions, raising global concerns. In response, Neom stated it would investigate the claims and emphasized its adherence to Saudi labor laws and International Labour Organization policies, with regular inspections of contractors.
The project has faced repeated criticism, including allegations of forced evictions and the use of lethal force to clear land for construction. Human rights group ALQST reported that three evictees were sentenced to death in 2022, further tarnishing the project’s reputation.
Financial challenges have also been experienced by Neom’s ambitious plans, which include the futuristic city The Line. According to Bloomberg, the population of The Line is expected to drop from 1.5 million to less than 300,000 by 2030.
Global architecture firms like Gensler, BIG, and Zaha Hadid Architects continue to influence Neom’s vision in spite of these obstacles. Neom, which is financed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, intends to diversify the kingdom’s oil-dependent economy and reinvent urban living.
However, the project was clouded by the human rights and worker safety concerns, which led to international demands for responsibility and openness in its implementation.