The relationship between `internal labour markets' and the employment position of women has not been systematically analysed. Do internal labour markets contribute to discrimination by restricting employment opportunities to insiders or do they provide a form of shelter from discrimination and an opportunity for advancement? This paper explores these issues through an examination of European banking. The issues are complicated by the wide variety of forms of internal labour markets; the differential impact of internal labour markets on different groups of women; the strong influence of country-specific factors in determining employment practices and their impact upon women's employment position and prospects; and the problems of making comparisons at the sectoral level across countries. The article concludes that more research is required to unravel the complexities of the interactions between employment forms and practices and equal opportunities.
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