Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
5mo ago

Unions Plan 21 February March After Rejecting GEMS 9.8% Contribution Hike

The scheme says it can only move to 9.5% from April pending regulator approval.

Public sector unions HOSPERSA, NAPTOSA, NATU, PEU, PSA and SAOU, together with SAPU and NUPSAW, are briefed the media on the sharp increase in GEMS contributions and outlining the programme of action now underway in Centurion. Picture: Fedusa.
Image

Overview

  • A coalition of PSCBC unions, including FEDUSA affiliates alongside PSA, SAPU, Naptosa, SAOU, Hospersa, Natu, PEU and Nupsaw, has formally rejected the increase and scheduled a march for 21 February.
  • GEMS implemented a 9.8% rise from 1 January 2026, with a board-backed proposal to reduce the adjustment to 9.5% from 1 April awaiting Council for Medical Schemes approval.
  • Union leaders say contributions will have climbed about 23.2% across 2025 and 2026, compared with a 5.5% public‑service salary increase for 2025/26.
  • GEMS defends the pricing as necessary for long‑term sustainability, citing the 25% statutory reserve requirement, healthcare inflation, increased chronic disease prevalence and higher service utilisation.
  • Organised labour says it will use collective, legal and institutional avenues, including a review of PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2006 to widen medical scheme choice using the existing government subsidy.