By Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI, Reuters -Expo 2020 Dubai was a large world fair which opened last Sunday. It announced that three of the workers had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and were now dead. The total worker deaths since 2015 has increased to six.

Three work-related deaths among workers at the site were reported by the organizer for the first times on Saturday. 72 of these injuries had been sustained in the course of construction. However, they defended their claim that the rate of accidents was less than half that experienced during building work in Britain.

Three COVID-related deaths occurred in our workforce. Expo representative Sconaid McGeachin said that it was in the midst of the pandemic.

McGeachin said the three deaths disclosed earlier were construction-related. For comment, she referred reporters directly to local authorities.

An email to Reuters asking for comments from the Dubai government media offices did not receive a response immediately.

International scrutiny has been given to large projects within the Gulf, such as Expo and Qatar’s 2022 FIFA soccer World Cup preparations. Rights groups have also criticised conditions for low-paid migrants.

At the outbreak of the pandemic, the United Arab Emirates saw a spike in infections due to overcrowding at their worker accommodations.

The UAE and Gulf States offer limited protections for migrants. The most vulnerable are those working in blue collar jobs that require long hours for low wages and who are often paid low salaries. Illegal practices are not uncommon among employers and recruiters, including illegally charging blue-collar workers visa and agency fees.

Expo 2020 states that Expo 2020 enforces stricter workplace standards than UAE law. It audits contractors and intervenes where violations are detected.

The company has yet to release detailed information about violations.

It does not provide a breakdown of COVID-19 deaths and cases for every emirate. This includes the regional trade hub Dubai and its tourism hub Dubai. With more than 80% coverage, the country is one of the most efficient countries in the world for vaccination.

UAE hopes that the Expo, which will be held for six months, will draw 25 million people. Anyone entering the Expo must have proof of vaccination. The site also has testing facilities.