Icelandic National Broadcasting Service, RÚV, reports that negotiations between the Association of Icelandic Mid-Wives and the State Social Security Institute, Tryggingstofnun, have ground to a standstill. The current contract between the two parties expires at midnight tonight, February 28. The midwives will discontinue their services at that time unless a new agreement has been reached.
Most Icelandic mothers choose to return home within 24 hours of giving birth and make use of the outpatient services provided by the midwives. If the contract is not renewed, the midwives will stop visiting mothers and newborns.
The president of the Midwife Association says their compensation needs a 40% upward adjustment to keep pace with other labor market developments.
