In Germany, resistance remains strong to legislated quotas similar to those for corporate boards in Norway, France, Spain and other European countries.
Newham council fought hard for strong local employment quotas in the 2012 London Olympics regeneration projects in the borough.
"Many U.S. companies had to move production away from India due to quota restrictions, despite strong relations with some Indian firms," said Marshal Cohen, chief garment and footwear industry analyst at the NPD Group, a market research company in Port Washington, N.Y.
But along with the awareness of the apparent need for some immigration -- expressed in the new proposal for bringing in the qualified through quotas -- a strong current of suspicion of, or outright hostility to, foreigners persists.
Jane Shepherdson, chief executive of fashion chain Whistles, gave a strong statement in support of quotas to the Telegraph on International Women's Day, before talking about women in public life at the Bath literature festival.
"Only the member states where there is a national fixed quota have got a strong increase," she said.
This is particularly the case in countries with quotas and those with strong regulatory systems or mandated corporate governance guidelines for public listed companies, such as the UK.
The Army has not missed its annual enlistment quota since 1999, when a strong economy played havoc with recruiters' efforts.
Back then, many unions called for quotas and other protections when the strong dollar and surging imports hobbled the steel and auto industries.
With just 12.5% of UK board positions currently held by women, and a strong prevailing sentiment against positive discrimination, a Brussels-imposed gender quota could cause a backlash similar to the one that has greeted prisoners' votes.
