Brussels, 11/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament's women's rights and equal opportunities committee and legal affairs committee are expected to outline their position on Monday 14 October on the planned 40% quota for women on non-executive boards of big European companies quoted on the stock exchange. The committees are expected to back the draft directive from EU Fundamental Rights Commissioner Viviane Reding, while trying to give it more strength.
Amendments have been tabled on all and sundry, ranging from opposition to the rules to making it apply to all companies, but a number of compromise amendments have been arranged by co-rapporteurs Evelyn Regner (S&D, Austria) and Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP, Greece) in order to find a realistic, acceptable approach to this controversial question, explains a close source, without altering the percentage for the quota (40%). Small and medium-sized companies quoted on the stock exchange would be excluded from the rules, despite the insistence of some Greens and socialists that they be included. Likewise for family companies. The two committees are expected to amend the draft directive measures on penalties to ensure they focus on how recruitment procedures are carried out rather than simply respect of the quota as such if the companies can provide explanations. This something the EPP is very concerned about. The Greens will vote for the draft directive to be extended to executive posts on management boards. The MEPs are expected to introduce the same quota for companies with fewer than 10% of staff, which are not covered under the Commission's proposal.
The vote coincides with a new report on women in decision-making, which will be released by the Commission and give an overview of the current situation and trends for the representation of women and men in politics, in public administrations and in the judiciary. The Commission will also release a mid-term review of its broader gender equality strategy for equality between women and men (2010-2015). (MD/transl.fl)