A lawsuit filed in Denver federal court on Thursday alleges Jacobs Solutions Inc. along with one of its Colorado-based subsidiaries are responsible for human trafficking and forced labor reportedly carried out in Qatar as the country prepared to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The lawsuit brought by nearly 40 people from the Philippines who helped build World Cup stadiums names Dallas-based Jacobs, the Colorado-based CH2M Hill and Jacobs’ subsidiaries as defendants.

In the lawsuit, attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote that the success of Qatar’s time holding the World Cup “was built on a foundation of human trafficking and forced labor. Qatar’s ruling regime realized its dream of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup only through untold thousands of migrant workers being subjected to nightmarish conditions.”

Migrant workers were lured to Qatar on promises of pay they did not receive, and then forced to work long hours in dangerous heat without adequate rest, hydration or nourishment, the lawsuit alleges.

“Many were forced to live in inhumane, cramped, dirty, and sometimes pest-infested barracks,” the lawsuit states. The legal claim also alleges that migrant workers’ passports were confiscated, preventing them from leaving. Conditions were tantamount to modern slavery, the lawsuit alleges.

“The Qatari regime’s (and Qatari employers’) reliance on trafficked and forced labor was plainly visible to anyone who bothered to look,” attorneys wrote in the lawsuit. Jacobs and CH2M “chose to knowingly participate in – and profit from – ventures that exploited plaintiffs’ labor for construction projects for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” the lawsuit states.

In an emailed statement, a Jacobs spokesperson said the company had not yet been served with the lawsuit or had time time thoroughly review its allegations.

“As a purpose-led company, we are committed to respecting the human rights and dignity of those within our operations and where we do business. In all projects across the 40+ countries in which we operate, we have prioritized health, safety and wellbeing, partnering with clients and suppliers to develop innovative approaches that improve the lives of workers and other stakeholders,” the statement said.

Eli J. Kay-Oliphant, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said in an emailed statement to The Denver Gazette that the construction workers represented in the lawsuit have experienced depression, emotional distress and serious health problems as a result of their experience in Qatar.

“We allege that defendants knew of this prevalent and pervasive practice of trafficking and forced labor before and during the time they managed and oversaw the World Cup construction projects,” Kay-Oliphant said.

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial to determine damages.

“Our clients hope and expect to bring Jacobs and CH2M to justice, and look forward to learning from a jury what would appropriately compensate them for what was done to them and appropriately punish the companies that did it,” Kay-Oliphant said.

Human rights groups have said Qatar is guilty of abusing migrant workers, leading to the death of hundreds of workers in preparation for the games, Reuters reported. The government of Qatar has denied those allegations. Thousands of workers were also reportedly injured during construction of stadiums and facilities.

This story has been updated with comment from Jacobs.