GIG-ECONOMY companies Uber and Deliveroo were accused today of undermining pledges to give sick pay to workers affected by the coronavirus.

The firms, which run private car travel and food delivery services, are demanding sick notes from workers affected by the virus.

But the NHS is telling virus sufferers to immediately self-isolate and not go to a GP, health centre or hospital, meaning that a sick note is just about impossible to obtain.

The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) says a coronavirus hardship fund introduced by Deliveroo has been set up in such a way that it is “impossible for many riders that are genuinely sick or self-isolating to claim the payments.”

IWGB couriers and logistics branch chairman Alex Marshall said: “Once we pull the curtains on Deliveroo’s announcement on assistance for workers that are sick or self-isolating, it is obvious that, behind the PR spin, it is more of the same old deceitful tactics.

“Deliveroo and other so-called gig-economy employers have to stop blocking their workers’ access to these funds and immediately introduce full contractual sick pay, without preconditions.”

The United Private Hire Drivers union (UPHD), representing Uber workers, said its members too were being denied sick pay through demands for a sick note or a written instruction from health professionals to self-isolate.

UPHD chairman James Farrar said: “If Uber can’t provide sick pay and respect the legal right of drivers to earn at least the minimum wage even during this time of pandemic, then when can we ever trust them to do the right thing?

“It’s time for the government and licensing authorities like Transport for London to step in and insist on a fair deal for drivers as an ongoing condition of licensing for Uber.”

A Deliveroo spokeswoman claimed that the company “is committed to providing financial support for riders across the world who are diagnosed with the virus or who are told to be in isolation by a medical authority.

“We are providing riders with continuous advice on how to stay safe, based on expert guidance. We will continue to explore other ways in which riders can be supported.”

Uber had not responded to requests for comment at the time of going to press.