SCOTTISH construction workers issued a last-minute appeal to their compatriots yesterday to boycott tonight’s Qatar friendly in solidarity with the hundreds of labourers sacrificed on the altar of the World Cup in the Gulf nation.

Ucatt Scottish secretary Harry Frew blasted the “continuous systematic human rights abuses of construction workers taking place each day in the state of Qatar” as they build stadiums and infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup.

Migrant workers are subject to the kafala system, handing their passports over to bosses who need to give their permission for them to leave the country — what Frew branded “a form of modern-day slavery.”

He pointed out that the construction death toll was expected to reach 4,000 by 2022.

“Ucatt stands in solidarity with these migrant workers in Qatar and does not support a fixture such as this taking place in the shadow of workers’ deaths,” said Frew.

“We call on all those that can to get along to join the major demonstration taking place outside the ground, and show the world that this match is not supported by the Scottish people.”

Football fans opposed to the fixture are being urged to meet at 5pm at Leith Dockers’ Club, 17 Academy Street EH6 7EE before a protest outside the ground.

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) warned yesterday that march sponsors Qatar Airways were also trying to create an undeserved positive image before the game.

“The airline is part of the same system,” said ITF civil aviation secretary Gabriel Mocho.

“Women are discriminated against — if they get pregnant, their contracts are ended. The workers — many of whom are supporting extended families back home — tell us they are under constant surveillance and are sacked for the slightest infringement of strict rules which extend into many areas of their off-duty lives.

“Qatar is not a brand to associate with luxury — it’s one to associate with exploitation. That’s what’s behind Qatar Airways’ shiny image.”

The Scottish TUC and a number of affiliated unions have condemned human rights abuses in Qatar but following representations to the Scottish FA, the footballing body said it was “important to separate this sporting fixture from the serious human rights issues emanating from Qatar,” saying the game had been agreed to get some practice in before a European qualifier against Ireland described as “of paramount importance.”

As of yesterday, two dozen MSPs had backed a motion from Neil Findlay urging the scrapping of the game.

All but two were Labour, with one Green and one Lib Dem also standing up for the estimated 62 workers to die for every game played in the 2022 World Cup.