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A union chief will today warn against employers targeting their female workforce during the current recession.

Speaking at UNISON's annual women's conference, head of the union, David Prentis, will claim the rights of working women must be protected during the difficult economic period.

Mr Prentis is expected to tell union members bold action is also required to finally provide women with equal pay.

"This credit crunch is, without doubt, a man-made disaster. But in the recession it is women who will suffer the most," he is due to say.

"They are at risk of being unfairly targeted by their employers when jobs are cut. They have bills to pay and families to feed and should not be seen as a soft target for redundancies.

"Now is not the time to lose the gains we have made for women under this Labour government. The minimum wage, the right to flexible working for parents and carers, decent maternity, paternity and adoption leave. Equality is not an optional extra it is a necessity, even in a recession."

Mr Prentis claims UNISON is still campaigning for pay equality within the public sector, where he claims "the scandal of unequal pay is still rife".