The Confederation of Trade Unions, Cosatu and Fedusa, has set a deadline for the leaders of the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) fund to come up with clear answers regarding the reduction in the amount paid by workers.
These unions are adamant that they want to review the increase of money by 9.5%, from February this year. The statement of these unions said that the meeting between them and GEMS did not bear fruit.
“The answers he came up with do not solve the challenges faced by the workers. We stand by the fact that the increase in the money paid by the workers affects the lack of control of this fund as well as the disorganization. We stand by the spending of the 9.5% increase in money,” said the statement.
We said that this fund was not established to make a profit but to take care of the health of the workers.
“That is why we have given them until May 6, 2026, to come up with clear answers that will talk about the review of the decision to raise money. We want the funders to commit to having discussions with the unions at least twice a year,” said Cosatu and Fedusa.
These unions said they want a committee to be formed in the council to deliberate on the workers, thePublic Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC).
Warn GEMS that if they come back with unsatisfactory answers, it will be very intense.
“We will increase the gear in the campaign to reject the increase in money if GEMS does not return with satisfactory answers. There is a lot we can do, including the influence of the protest as well as those affecting the law,” warned these unions.
Warn them that they will persuade members to leave this fund. The unions and GEMS have been at loggerheads for some time regarding the increase in fees. GEMS complained about the increase in expenses including the corruption committed by some members by raising money. The workers who heard this, said that the job of this fund is to help those who are sick, so we have to pay them.