THE war against the fund is INTENSIVEGovernment Employees Medical Scheme (Gems), as the unions of government employees have applied to go on a legal strike if the negotiations to review the decision to raise funds for this fund, fail.
This was expressed by the Federation of Unions, Fedusa, which has applied to Nedlac, to authorize the unions to go on strike if the ongoing negotiations to cancel the 9.5% increase in money, end up not reaching an agreement.
At the weekend, this union as well as the PSA union, marched to different offices of Gems, where they expressed their displeasure with the increase of money in this way. These unions want a study to be done on the financial performance of this fund.
Fedusa’s statement said that it is also receiving legal advice regarding the increase in the amount paid for this medical aid.
“We want to go on strike if the negotiations do not bear fruit. We are not in agreement with this increase in money, as last year it was increased a lot,” said the statement.
We said that the protests that took place over the weekend in different states were the beginning of what is to come.
“This fund was established to help government employees. That is why we will strengthen the campaigns against the increase in fees,” he said.
It just so happens that the unions that are part of Cosatu, are having a press conference today about their actions this week, regarding the increase of money by Gems. These unions also unanimously say that the board of Gems should not be dissolved and the decision to raise money should be reviewed.
Tomorrow the unions in Cosatu will protest and express their displeasure with the increase in money, and on Thursday the protest will be directed at the headquarters of this fund in Pretoria.
The Principal Officer of Gems, Dr. Stanley Moloabi, complained about the bullying, exploitation and harassment by the workers which caused the increase in medical aid costs.
He pointed out that some of the workers were using it improper medical aid, admit their relatives who are not covered under the fund to private hospitals.
“Every year we increase the money as it happens in other medical aids. We paid double the amount we had planned last year due to the significant increase in the expenses of those we covered. The workers exploit the medical aid and others commit corruption,” he said.