European firms may be forced to get more women in boardroom
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Buy SPH photosBRUSSELS (REUTERS) - Companies listed in European Union (EU) countries could be forced to have more women on their boards, with a target of 40 per cent by 2020, under rules proposed by the European Commission on Wednesday.
But states are divided on whether positive discrimination or pan-European rules are necessary, and some such as Britain have said they would oppose a legally binding target.
The rules would apply to the non-executive boards of publicly traded companies with over 250 staff, where the Commission estimates women account for fewer than 15 per cent of positions.
"Priority shall be given to the candidate of the under-represented sex if that candidate is equally qualified as the candidate of the other sex," a Commission statement said.
