Private sector sets target in absence of National

Labour congratulates private companies for leading the way in setting a target to improve the number of women on boards in the private sector, says Labour’s Women’s Affairs spokesperson Sue Moroney.

“The 25 Percent Group of companies certainly have higher ambitions for women than the Government does,” Sue Moroney said.

“National recently reduced the target for women on state sector boards from 50 per cent by 2012 to 45 per cent by 2014. That’s hardly encouraging.

“And the Ministry of Women’s Affairs recently informed the Government Administration Select Committee that the Government had set a target of 10 per cent of women on private sector boards.

“It’s great to see this group of private sector companies challenging the Government’s lack of ambition for women,” Sue Moroney said.

“John Key and Jo Goodhew are trying to claim credit for the work the companies are doing, but the reality is that this work is happening despite the Government – not because of it.

“The issue of women on boards became a major focus of the Human Rights Commission with the establishment of an Equal Employment Opportunities commissioner under the last Labour Government.

“Equal employment opportunities have never been a priority for any National government. This group of companies is leading this Government by default,” Sue Moroney said.