A transport workers’ union on Monday called on the government to ban unlicensed ride-hailing services and address the plight of the taxi trade.

The Motor Transport Workers General Union said cab drivers have suffered a more than 30 percent drop in business in recent years due to competition with illegal taxi services.

Videos circulating online appear to show cabbies posing as Uber passengers before asking drivers to stop at locations the police have been called to.

Chief Executive John Lee has urged people to leave such matters to law enforcement agencies, but the union’s principal vice-chairperson, Chong Wing-tak, said taxi drivers are not convinced.

"Why do drivers perform sting operations? It's because of a lack of enforcement action by the government, transport authorities, and the police. We have endured this for more than ten years. We can't bear it anymore, so some drivers have organised these sting operations," he told a press conference.

Harry Ho, the union's director of the taxi driver branch, described illegal cab drivers as "irresponsible", noting that any injuries that occur during unlicensed ride-hailing services are not covered by insurance.

In July, the Transport and Logistics Bureau is expected to report to lawmakers the results of a study on ride-hailing services.