I dont have a problem with the midwives getting a pay increase for what can be a tough job but the way the hamsters are using the gender wage angle is just mind blowing.

For those who dont want to read the article here are a few bulletpoints:

1-Pay experts found midwives earned about 60 per cent less than male-dominated professions that required a similar level of qualifications, skills, expertise and responsibility

2-Midwifery is traditionally women's work and I think if men were to do what midwives do, in terms of the 24/7 on call and everything they provide ... they just wouldn't do it," she said. "It's hard for midwives, but we love what we do and we just want to be recognised for that."

3-Kapiti Coast midwife Lynley Davidson said midwives did a lot work that went unnoticed, from educating parents to doing their own book work. "Those are the kinds of things we don't get recognised for.

4-[Equal pay] has not been talked about enough, how we get paid in comparison to other health professionals. It's inadequate." Pay equality was not about women versus men, she said. "It's about the profession not being looked in the same light as other professions that are male dominant."

The bit that gets me is they say these "pay experts" say the women earn 60% less than male-dominated professions but they dont give any examples of what these male professions are and how can you compare them as it would be like comparing apples to oranges. what do you guys think?

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/71595674/midwives-sue-government-over-pay-discrimination