Lesbian and gay workers should receive the same pension rights as other unmarried workers, the TUC has said.

Holding a discrimination conference, the TUC invited legal experts, including Lord Lester QC, to investigate how the government can incorporate European equality laws into the UK, which ban discrimination in the workplace based upon age, religion and sexuality.

Current government proposals would exclude approximately 200,000 workers from choosing their partner as the pension beneficiary.

Deputy general secretary of the TUC, Brendan Barber, argued that, since lesbian and gay workers made the same contributions, they are entitled to the same rights.

"Lesbian and gay workers pay the same pension contributions as other staff. Fairness requires that they get the same treatment, including the right to nominate a surviving partner to benefit from pension rights," he said.

"The TUC wants to see a proactive framework of equality law in the UK. Employers should be placed under positive duties to promote equality. Such an approach will encourage partnership at work and avoid individual litigation. New positive duties will give unions the chance to engage constructively with employers to ensure equal treatment for all groups in the workforce."