There are new calls for the Scottish Government and employers to give key workers an immediate pay rise of at least £2 an hour.
The STUC say the pay rise should be given to NHS staff as well as other frontline workers tackling the coronavirus, including local council staff, transport workers and retail staff.
The body, which has members from most of Scotland's trade unions, say the rise should be given in recognition of the hard work and vital role such workers are playing during the crisis.
STUC general secretary Rozanne Foyer said: “We know that the priority of key workers across the country during this crisis is keeping others well, safe and supplied. But just because that it their priority, it doesn’t mean we should forget their needs.
"We need to reverse the long-term trend of undervaluing these heroes, and we need to start now.”
“So many of these workers came into this crisis undervalued and underpaid. They are many of the same people who bore the brunt of the 2010 recession.
"More than half of them are women. We want to ensure that as we emerge from this current crisis history does not repeat itself."
Analysis by the union body revealed that a third of key workers, who are most likely to be woman, currently earn less the £10 per hour.
It also found some 43% of social carers in Scotland earn less than the real living wage of £9.30 an hour.
Politicians as well as the STUC have said that whilst the "Clap for Carers" on a Thursday evening is welcome, a pay rise in recognition of their vital role would make a "real difference" and show our appreciation.
Foyer added: “The country has shown great appreciation by clapping key workers’ magnificent commitment every Thursday, but we believe people want to go the extra mile for those workers and make sure they are able to pay the rent and the food bills they face.
“For many of these workers, particularly in the food sector, the UK Government could make a real difference by taking the first step of raising the Living Wage to £10. This basic minimum should apply to all workers, whatever their age.
“We will be meeting with the Scottish Government today, to press that key workers whose work is directly or indirectly paid for through public funds, should receive at least a £2 hourly uplift.
"We also want them to join with us in pressing the UK Government for that immediate Minimum Wage uplift to £10 and to make the fiscal commitment to raising pay.”
