New Zealand nurses and midwives who belong to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) have raised the issue of pay equity within the industry as being essential to staff recruitment and retention. The organisation also said that this matter needs to be sorted out promptly in order for health to be provided to those who need their services.
Pay equity has been an ongoing issue for the industry, and the campaign for nurses and midwives to be paid at similar levels as professions dominated by males who do directly comparable work.
Nurses and midwives have had pay equity claims stalled by legal action over the Nursing Pay Equity claim, and although nurses have been successful in securing an interim payment, midwives have not.
According to the former midwife and NZNO Kaiwhakahaere, Kerri Nuku, the matter has caused real issues for registered nurses who hold both competencies that are being tempted to disengage with their midwifery competency in order to qualify for the interim payment to survive financially.
"We have met with our midwifery members who are frustrated at being treated differently and at the lack of progress around Pay Equity, despite that they work collaboratively with nurses, have similar qualifications and do essential work that is of equal value.”
The issue continues for Nuku, who said that several nurses and midwives across the country are suffering the burden this matter has caused them.
"Every nurse and midwife deserves recognition for their hard work and dedication to their job," she said.
She said that sorting out pay equity would go a long way towards bolstering staff numbers in both professions and is calling on the government to take further urgent action.
"Our people, our Māori and Pasifika, our elderly and our new young mothers need us to be there for them in numbers and every day - while the Government quibbles over money - more and more nurses and midwives are giving up on Aotearoa New Zealand and heading off for greener pastures."
