You act like the market is free, what gives you that idea LOL. If it were a free market there wouldn't be a need to have legislation like this.
Employers know what they're doing and aren't changing it, what motivation does a free market provide to force any change at all outside of a price they put on the product they produce?
You act like there shouldn't be a minimum wage. Or that unions didn't serve a purpose. Neither of those are things the free market wanted or welcomed but without both of them we'd all be screwed because employers will find any way possible to fuck you over. Don't think they care about you; you're a fool if you think they do.
I'll ask this then; How do you propose a free market fix the descrepancy in pay between women and men when they hold the same job? I'd really like to hear what you have to say about this question. Keep this in mind, no market will willingly adjust if it is cost prohibitive. If they can make more cash for shareholders, they'll fuck their mothers.
I see you're able to point out the problem, I could point out several problems too, but I tend to at least try and offer a solution even if I get shat on for doing it (can you say gun ban LOL)
EDIT side/bar derail
I'll use OPEC as an example (I know it isn't the same but to show you free markets aren't really "free"). So oil drops down to under 100.00 a barrel, the MiddleEasternerns say woooo there buddy, lets slow production to keep the cost per barrel at or above 100.00, my wallet is growing nice and thick, hey and look, all those dumbfucks are still paying at 4.00 a gallon. Point here is the folks put in place to help control the market are IMO abusing it to make more money, this isn't a supply / demand thing, this is a controlling body taking advantage of the situation.