DURBAN - The Government Employees Medical Scheme has seven days to respond to the Public Servants Association's demands for an end to the recently implemented 9.8% contribution hike for 2026.
GEMS exclusively serves provincial and national government employees, municipal workers, teachers, nurses, and police officers nationwide.
Public Servants Association members marched through Durban, slamming what they call the Government Employees Medical Scheme’s ill-conceived contribution hike.
They say the 9.8 percent hike outpaces inflation and wage growth, undermines affordable healthcare, and was imposed without proper consultation.
Nondumiso Mvubo, chairperson of the health and social development branch said as workers they are struggling.
“We pay about R7,000 and you find you have three members on the medical aid, and they say the employer is subsidising it. But when you compare it to other schemes, R7,000 is a very high premium, maybe with Discovery, if you are not subsidised, that is the kind of amount you would pay. So where exactly is the government support if we are paying such large amounts and are told we are being subsidised?”
READ | GEMS contribution increase rejected by unions
The PSA says it gave GEMS time to rethink the steep contribution hike, but is growing frustrated as the scheme continues to defend the increase, ignoring opposition from public sector unions.
Members now want GEMS management to step down, saying they are “very arrogant”.
The PSA, FEDUSA, and their affiliates are also demanding a forensic audit of the scheme’s finances.
Government Employees Medical Scheme management is expected to respond to the Public Servants Association’s memorandum of demands, as promised to members. The association has threatened to step up its fight against the 9.8% hike if its concerns are not addressed.