Midwives' fees were a flat rate set by government no matter how much or how little experience that midwife had and the only way to increase their wage was to take on extra patients, she said. Workloads were also growing as pregnant women sought care earlier and more screening programmes and administration were introduced. "Look at male professions in a workforce like plumbers or even veterinarians and the kinds of dollars they are bringing in.
"The more clients we take on, the thinner we spread ourselves. We really need to be taking on fewer women because their cases are becoming more complex," she said.
Mrs Robinson said as prices went up, the midwife pay rate was becoming unsustainable. Midwives earned an average of $100,000 but of that ended up taking home around $53,000.
"Close to half of a midwife's gross income is going on expenses. We are running a whole business from that $100,000. There is no prospect of earning more."
National Council of Women president Rae Duff said in the 120 years of the council's existence it had always supported equal pay for work of equal value.
She said it was important midwives were paid fairly as these women were bringing new parents and role models into the world.
"It's not about the money, it's about valuing the job they do and making sure they are getting equal pay."
A spokesman from the Ministry of Health said a copy of the proceedings was only recently received and the ministry was considering it.
What do you think?
Email editor@dailypost.co.nz, write a letter to PO Box 1442, Rotorua or text OP (message) to 021 242 4568.
