Thousands of Uber drivers and gig economy workers are holding protests in Glasgow and London.

This is during a Court of Appeal hearing linked to the employment rights of drivers working through the app.

In October 2016, a landmark ruling awarded Uber drivers the right to be classed as workers rather than independent contractors, which gave them the right to holiday pay, sick pay and the national minimum wage.

However, the popular taxi-hailing service is appealing the decision, arguing its 60,000 drivers working in the UK are self-employed and not entitled to basic workers' rights.

And while the case makes its way through the appeals process, Uber has not adjusted its contracts to bring them into line with the Employment Tribunal's October 2016 ruling - a decision that has cost drivers an average of £18,000, the GMB union say.

Uber believe the tribunal "fundamentally misunderstood" their business model which is built on "freedom and flexibility" for drivers.

But this week's hearing isn't just important for Uber drivers.

The outcome will be closely scrutinised across the country for what it means about the workplace rights of the 2.8 million people employed within the gig economy in the UK.

The gig economy is a business model that is becoming more and more prevalent.

In the gig economy, instead of receiving a regular wage, workers are paid for the "gigs" they do, such as a car journey or a food delivery.

Workers are viewed as independent contractors, meaning they receive no sick or holiday pay, no protection against unfair dismissal and no right to receive the national minimum wage.

On the other hand, the model suits those who enjoy flexible working hours and control over how long they work.

The adaptable nature offers many benefits to employers - they only pay when work is available and don't incur staff costs if the demand is not there.

In short, no.

While zero-hour contracts also prove controversial, the rights of workers differ slightly to those employed within the gig economy.

Zero-hour workers, or casual contractors, also don't get guaranteed hours or much job security from their employer, but they are entitled to a few rights, such as holiday pay.

The two-day Court of Appeal hearing will consider Uber's argument that it is merely an agent, connecting drivers with passengers.

An Uber spokesman told STV News: "Almost all taxi and private hire drivers have been self-employed for decades, long before our app existed.

"Over the last two years we've made many changes to give drivers even more control over how they use the app, alongside more security through sickness, maternity and paternity protections.

"We'll keep listening to drivers and introduce further improvements."

But many drivers using Uber are unhappy with their working conditions.

One worker in Glasgow, who asked not to be named, said: "The way it's going at the moment, there are more and more drivers coming onto the street.

"You can have Uber drivers bombing past you, wanting to get to a location first.

"Because of how many drivers are on the road, every weekend I get in and see that the money I've earned is less.

"Ultimately, to make the money you used to make, you're having to work for increasingly long hours.

"I don't know how long I'll stay with Uber for."

The Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain (IWGB) organised the marches that took place in Glasgow and London to show solidarity with precarious workers.

They say it's the biggest rally of its kind.

Couriers, riders, outsourced cleaners, restaurant workers and security guards all attended the rally in Glasgow.