The Equal Opportunities Commission is calling for a new law to reflect how society has changed to replace existing legislation which is now nearly 30 years old.

Public bodies could equal opportunity

The government is due to make a statement about the commission's report on Thursday afternoon.

The EOC would highlight continuing workplace inequalities, like the 20% pay gap between men and women, and lack of legislation on harassment.

The commission also wants a new statute to cover private members' clubs which admit both sexes to provide equal facilities to all.

The Equality in the 21st Century: A New Sex Equality report is to propose a new Sex Equality Bill as the first legislative revamp since the Equal Pay and Sex Discrimination Acts of 1970 and 1975.

The proposals drawn up by the Commission include:

• Banning sexual harassment as currently women must seek redress through tribunals under the Sex Discrimination Act.
  
• A new statute should incorporate European Community Law.
  
• Making employers publish pay comparisons for men and women, and levels of women's seniority
  
• Tightening rules on clubs and organisations which limit women's membership.
  
• Requiring all public bodies to promote equal opportunities, with organisations seeking contract work having to make a commitment to equal treatment.
  
• School children should be able to participate in any sport or activity regardless of sex and mixed-sex teams and competitions should be encouraged.
  
• Requiring employers to monitor their workforce to make sure women are not being discriminated against.

The commission wants the statute to be based on the principle of equal treatment to guarantee freedom discrimination on grounds of sex, pregnancy, marital status and gender reassignment.

Kamlesh Bahl, commission chairwoman, said she hoped the government would replace existing legislation, which was a "complete mess", this parliament.

Legislation backlog

Kamlesh Bahl talks to BBC News Online: "It's time we had a new law for the new millenium"

But any new proposals by the government will add further pressure on its already packed programme of legislation due to announced in the Queen's Speech later this month.

She said: "We acknowledge that there is a busy legislative agenda.

"But which issues are ore important than equality? Which issues are more important than outlawing sexual harassment, or ensuring people are hired on merit or ensuring women and men get equal pay for work of equal value?"

The vast majority of people supported progress and the EOC had received personal backing from John Monks, general secretary of the TUC, and Mary-Ann Stephenson of the Fawcett Society.

The report comes ahead of Monday's announcement by Minister for Women Baroness Jay and her deputy Tessa Jowell, who will unveil the government's progress in delivering policy for women.

Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett said the government would study the recommendations in detail to assess their practical impact.

He said: "The EOC has come up with a wide-ranging set of proposals for change.