DESPITE progress, hidden racism still pervades North West workplaces, according to a report out today (April 11).

Britain's black and ethnic minority workers say that real progress has been made in combating race discrimination at work over the past 10 years, but that racism persists, often in disguised forms. The findings are revealed in a TUC report Black Voices at Work .

The report has been issued to coincide with the 10th anniversary TUC Black Workers' Conference.

It calls on the Government to extend race relations laws to require all employers to positively promote race equality. Employers should take race discrimination more seriously, the report says. They must treat racial discrimination, including the expressing of racist views, as a serious disciplinary offence.

Unions are also called upon to step-up promotion of their equal opportunities policies more widely to both workers and employers, especially in smaller companies.

The report features in-depth interviews with black and ethnic minority workers who have benefited from the past decade of anti-racist campaigning, equal opportunities policies, and companies' concerns about their corporate image. But those interviewed also report being passed over for promotion, being subjected to racist language and more subtle discrimination, and having to tolerate managements who only pay lip service to equal opportunities policies.

Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary-elect said: "Anti-racist laws and campaigning have brought real benefits to large numbers of workers. Now the Government must legislate to force all employers to rid our workplaces of racism.

"Unions are ready to work in partnership with employers and the Government to guarantee equality for all at work."