Workers in Scotland need better protection from abuse and exploitation by bosses, it has been claimed.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is calling for politicians at Holyrood and Westminster to create a new body called the Fair Employment Commission to help those who have been unfairly treated at work.

Over the last two years, advisers at CAS have dealt with around 107,000 claims of unfair treatment at work - the equivalent of 150 cases per day.

However, CAS fears this could be the tip of the iceberg, with many people afraid to report such treatment.

Susan McPhee, head of policy at CAS, said: "The cases we see are bad enough, but we get a sense from talking to these clients that there are many more people out there who are suffering these problems, but are too scared to come forward because they fear they will lose their job."

Ms McPhee added: "To address the problem longer term, we call today for a Fair Employment Commission - with powers to identify wrongdoing and to punish employers who flout the law and exploit their staff."

She said those who experienced problems at work were often low-paid and low-skilled workers, with many unaware of their rights leaving them "vulnerable to unfair treatment by rogue employers".

Examples of wrongdoing include illegal changes to contracts, unfair dismissal, low pay, withheld wages and victimisation of those who have tried to demand their rights.

Ms McPhee added: "Our evidence shows that there are still some employers who are using the recession as an excuse to mistreat their employees. They feel they can get away with it because workers are terrified of losing their job.

"We all know that work is scarce and nobody who is in a job wants to lose it. But that doesn't mean employers should be able to take liberties. Indeed, at times like these we feel it is more important than ever that workers are treated fairly, with dignity and respect."

A report by CAS has described the current system for enforcing workers' rights - including statutory bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive - as "fragmented".

It argued: "It is time for the Government to give exploited workers somewhere to turn, through the creation of a Fair Employment Commission with the legal powers and resources both to secure individual vulnerable workers their rights, and to root out the rogues.

"A minority of employers are making the lives of their employees a misery. A Fair Employment Commission - including all employment rights and all types of workers - would go some way towards protecting employees and good employers."