The Netherlands will be alone in Brussels: law for more women in company top on the way
The Netherlands will be alone in Brussels. In recent years, it has been fighting with Germany against a European women’s quota, but the new government in Germany has a different view. This means that after years of securities, the way to a mandatory higher in the boards of listed companies is open.
The European Commission established in 2012 to require companies to have at least two-fifths of their boards made up of women. If they didn’t, they could whistle for European subsidies overseas.
That proposal never got wet, because the transverse layers. The Netherlands is part of the sleepers. The country preferred to arrange for more women to come to the top.
Officially, that is still the position of the Netherlands, because the new government has not yet decided. But if the Netherlands persists, then it will argue in Brussels estimate. The new German government has been presented with the European regulation and with that the relations are tilting. Suddenly a large part of the furrow.
Not a second to lose
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, does not want to lose a second. Last week she invited the group of four female MEPs to say that she wants to end the six-month renewal of the 2012 law.
Among those four were two Dutchmen: Lara Wolters of the PvdA and Samira Rafaela of D66. Von der Leyen asked them if they would like to work with her for the law.
The one and a half hour meeting between the MPs and the committee chair was exceptional. The two sides often meet.
Interest
Wolters: “It showed how much importance Von der Leyen attaches to it. She told me that she herself has changed from a quota to prior to a quota. That in her medical training she was so impressed by her female fellow students and that she was convinced that her generation would break through. Now she no longer sees those fellow students.”
Von der Leyen also said she had already spoken to Emmanuel Macron on the subject, as France holds the presidency of the European Council until July. “Macron also wants to have this issue settled this six months,” Wolters briefs on von der Leyen’s message.
Step up efforts
If the European law is passed, that for the Netherlands that it has been edited will increase. Since January 1, this year, 30 percent of the top in companies must consist of women. Germany has a rule.
Moreover, the anti-companies that do not comply with the rules in the European regulation are becoming stricter. For example, companies that do not comply would not be able to claim European subsidies
In France, a law came into effect last year in which 30 percent and from 2030 onwards 40 percent of the board members must be women. Those who do not participate will be fined. This approach is very similar to the European proposal.
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After much haggling, the women’s quota for top companies starts. Does this lead to more equality?
From 1 January, large companies will be obliged to list more women at the top. Norway, Italy, France and Spain already preceded us. Does this lead to more equality in all layers of an organization?