Brussels, 19/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament might well extend to SMEs quoted on the stock exchange the proposal of a 40% quota of women for non-executive posts on their boards of directors, as proposed a year ago by Commissioner Viviane Reding for all major European companies floated. This is what comes out of the amendments already proposed by MEPs and discussed on Wednesday 18 September by the Parliamentary committees for women's rights (FEMM) and legal affairs (JURI).
The co-rapporteur Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP, Greece) explained that there had been several different kinds of categories of amendments submitted. Some completely rejected the draft legislation and the co-rapporteur distanced herself from these views because she believes that the proposal “is a good basis for getting a legislative basis adopted”. Other amendments included more general considerations about the lack of women at all levels in companies. The co-rapporteur said that these amendments did not focus on the thrust of the draft and risked confusing things, consequently, she called on MEPs to “maintain a constructive and realistic climate on the question concerning us, the place of women in the boardrooms”. Other amendments suggested that the proposal be extended to all senior managers but Kratsa is worried that this would be too much of a burden for companies currently weathering the crisis. On the other hand, she did appreciate the amendments that went in the direction of extending the draft directive to SMEs quoted on the stock exchange. She estimates that this is 50% of all SMEs in Europe and feels they should have the same social and economic obligations as the big companies. Aware that this could provoke a lot of misgivings and questions, she suggested that a study be carried out to assess the impact of such an approach: “This could provide a better idea of the situation, without necessarily slowing down procedures on the matter”.
Following on from this joint FEMM and JURI meeting on the question of quotas for women, the Conservatives organised a hearing against the introduction of any such quotas, that very day. Speaking at the conference, Marina Yannakoudakis (ECR, United Kingdom), a strong opponent of the draft directive, confirmed that she was not against having more women in the boardrooms but that “quotas are bad for women and bad for business” and voluntary measures would be preferable. (MD/transl.fl)