Brussels, 17/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - Several member states are not in favour of imposing quotas for the numbers of women on the boards of directors of companies, but all nonetheless recognise the need to take action on the matter. Many studies confirm the link between the presence of women in companies and economic performance. The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumers Council of Friday 17 February held an exploratory debate on the issue, after which European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Viviane Reding said that a change of mindset had come in over the past year, but that more should be done at member state level. She noted the various measures taken in the member states and the problems they uncovered, which will feed into a report taking stock of the issue. The report will be published in March.
The quota idea is not popular. At the round table, the majority of states took position in favour of self-regulation to improve the presence of women on the boards of companies (more specifically, companies floated on the stock exchange and state-owned businesses). Although many recommended a voluntary basis, and at this stage favour recommendations to be made to their companies (Poland, Sweden, Greece, Austria, Bulgaria, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Spain, the Netherlands, Malta, Cyprus, the Czech Republic), some of them have not ruled out legislative measures if the results do not follow, with the issue remaining in suspense domestically (Germany, Finland, Lithuania and Denmark).
Only Italy, Belgium and France took position in favour of the quota system, and would support a European initiative in this field. The last two of these countries have already brought in quotas of this kind, and Italy is getting ready to do so. Many countries referred to stereotypes and the problems of reconciling work life and family life as the main obstacles to a more visible presence of women in key posts in business, but most have adopted measures to try to combat this: paternity leave, childcare and other incentives.
Reding takes note, but wants more. At the end of the debate, Viviane Reding admitted that the results were not entirely those she had hoped for. For example, she regrets the fact that only 23 large European businesses floated on the stock exchange had responded to her call last March to commit to increase by 40% the number of women on their boards by 2020. However, she noted that mindsets have changed! “One year ago, businesses were saying that that didn't interest them or that they couldn't find any qualified women”. She still hopes that other companies on the stock exchange will come on board in the next 12 days, as the deadline to meet the challenge is March. She also welcomed the opportunity to hear the member states' own practices in the matter, which will feed into a report to be published in March. If the results presented in this report show that the self-regulation method has not produced effects, it could be that measures at European level will result. In this event, the question of quotas of women on company boards of directors will almost certainly take centre stage. (MD/transl.fl)