BPW NZ congratulates midwives for challenging structural pay discrimination
The New Zealand Federation of Business & Professional Women (BPW NZ) congratulates the College of Midwives for taking action on low remuneration for Lead
Maternity Carers (LMCs/midwives).
The High Court action lodged by the College of Midwives alleges that the Ministry of Health’s pay levels breach gender
rules under the Bill of Rights Act.
“BPW NZ fully supports the midwives in this court action to prove that there is structural pay discrimination operating
in the health sector and that midwives, who are 99.9% women are paid less than if the role was predominately men,” says
President Vicky Mee.
“The skill, the complexity, the long hours and the overhead costs born by our midwives has not been recognised and
therefore not valued financially.
“This is a women’s issue and this is a human rights issue.
“We welcome this test case which seeks to expose the structural pay discrimination inherent in a female dominated
occupation.
“New Zealand’s midwives are leading the way in challenging unequal pay rates and we trust that other occupations follow
suit.
“Economic equality for men and women will only come when structural discrimination is acknowledged and eliminated,” says
Mrs Mee.
ENDS