A union of private hire drivers is calling for operators to implement sick pay amid the coronavirus outbreak.
United Private Hire Drivers (UPHD) is urging the likes of Uber, Network Private Hire, Hampden Cars and Glasgow Private Hire to protect workers rights, while they have also written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon regarding their concerns.
It is feared poor working conditions within the private hire industry in Scotland could lead to an increase in coronavirus cases.
UPHD say: "Drivers demand immediate implementation of sick pay provision, minimum wage and the right to cancel high risk work at operators including Uber, Network Private Hire, Hampden Cars, Glasgow Private Hire and others.
"Poor working conditions in the Scottish private hire industry risk escalation of Covid-19 infection rates.
"Poor working conditions in the UK’s app dominated private hire driver industry present a significant risk to public health during the current coronavirus crisis unless urgent action is taken by the government, local authorities and operators such as Uber, Network Private Hire, Hampden Cars and Glasgow Private Hire.
"UPHD calls on the First Minister of Scotland and Glasgow City Council to support their call for large operators to take urgent action."
Meanwhile it is claimed by the union, drivers may 'not be able to afford to stop working', even if infected.
They say: "With drivers working as much as 30 hours per week to cover vehicle rental and other costs just to break even, and without access to worker rights such as minimum wage and sick pay, drivers who are infected may simply not be able to afford to stop working.
"The situation could be further exasperated with drivers, denied the security of a guaranteed minimum wage, forced to work even longer hours to compensate for a sudden reduction in public demand for private hire services in the event of a more widespread Covid-19 outbreak in Scotland."
Barry Sloan, Chair of United Private Hire Drivers Glasgow commented: "Scotland faces a public health crisis from the coronavirus outbreak yet poor working practices and failure to respect worker rights within the licensed private hire trade is putting working drivers and the travelling public at increased risk.
"Private hire operators, licensing authorities and the Scottish government must take responsibility to ensure that any driver infected with Covid-19 can afford to stop working so they may recover."
