The union's assistant general secretary Tony Burke said the bill, which is designed to promote equality, fight discrimination and introduce transparency in the workplace, offers new protection for workers.

"It promotes equality and helps unions to tackle unfairness in the workplace," said Burke.

"It also gives protection to disabled people and their carers, as well as extending rights for older people."

He added the bill, which will be voted on after a public consultation, is a move forward, rather than something that creates more red tape or further difficulty for the SME print market.

"The print industry needs to look at both sides of the story when it comes to the government's new Equality Bill," he said.

"There is a growing demand now from a younger, more enlightened workforce that is for equalities and more family-friendly working practices – and it will continue to grow."

However, Burke said he is disappointed the government has fallen short of taking bolder steps to close the pay gap in the bill.

"The pay gap that exists is quite large, although the UK print industry is slightly different as it has complex collective bargaining."

The positive comments from Unite contradict those of some in the industry, with recruitment consultant Mercury Search and Selection claiming the proposal would lead to more red tape.