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South African money notes and coins.
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) and its public sector affiliated unions are calling for the immediate withdrawal of a proposed increase in the government medical aid scheme, GEMS.
GEMS has proposed a 9.8% increase for 2026.
The unions have rejected the increase.
Earlier this year, GEMS faced major criticism from unions for increasing its member contributions by 13.4%.
FEDUSA General Secretary Riefdah Ajam says, “It is absolutely impossible that our members and public servants at large have to accept another year in which workers are expected to pay more for the same stagnant benefits while the scheme continues to side step accountability and meaningful consultation.”
“There has been a clear intention that there will not be any double-digit increases and that it should be in line with inflation, but the medical scheme had gone beyond that point and in essence applied this as a misrepresentation of what should be there, going against the council for medical schemes at the same time,” adds Ajam.
