EU countries agree that there should be a women’s quota in European top companies. For example, they want at least 40 percent of supervisory boards to be women in five years at the latest. A percentage of 33 percent, one third, should apply to the boards of directors. The ministers of Social Affairs and Employment of the member states agreed on this together.
The European quota does not directly affect companies in the Netherlands. A women’s quota has been in effect here since 1 January. For example, at least 33 percent of the top layer of the Dutch business community must consist of women. In theory, the cabinet should therefore increase the quota for the supervisory board to 40 percent.
But according to the Minister of Social Affairs, Karien van Gennip, that is not necessary. Under European rules, countries that have just passed ‘ambitious’ legislation to increase the number of women in business do not have to change anything for the first five years.
The Netherlands and Germany across
According to MEP for the PvdA, Lara Wolters, there is still a discussion to be had about what exactly “ambitious legislation” will entail. “It is the intention that all countries will meet these quotas.”
She is pleased that EU countries have now agreed to the women’s quota. “It’s just sad that it had to take more than 10 years,” says Wolters. In 2013, the European Parliament voted in favor of a women’s quota. But the plan never got beyond consultations between member states because some countries were obstructive.
This included the Netherlands and Germany. Not because they were against a quota in principle, but because they felt that this could be better arranged at national level.
Samira Rafaela, MEP for D66, thinks it is an outdated argument. “In all those years, far too little has happened. It can be statistically proven. To this day there are still boards with only men on them.”
According to Rafaela, it is important that this is regulated at European level. “There should be a level playing field for women throughout the EU. There should no longer be a difference between countries that do well and countries that do nothing.”
A few months ago, it was the German committee chairman von der Leyen who put pressure on the matter. She wanted to work on legislation. Last month, Germany – meanwhile with a new government – announced that it would agree. The biggest stumbling block was thus overcome.
Poland and Sweden still against
Only Poland and Sweden voted against today. Poland is against a women’s quota on principle. Sweden, on the other hand, is not against a quota, but does not want such a measure to be imposed by the EU. The country wants to do that itself. The resistance of Poland and Sweden makes no difference to the result: a simple majority decides in this case.
The fact that EU countries have come to an agreement does not mean that everything is complete. The countries and the European Parliament will negotiate together about what the rules will look like. But it is now certain that the quota will come. Last autumn, only three out of ten directors of large companies in the EU were women.
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