The Congress of South African Trade Unions-affiliated public service unions, including the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union, South African Democratic Teachers Union, Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa and Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, will on Monday hold a media briefing in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.

They are expected to voice their anger over the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) 9.8% members’ contribution increase.

COSATU has described the increase as unlawful and unaffordable.

The labour federation’s national spokesperson, Zanele Sabela says, “On Tuesday, there’ll be lunchtime pickets throughout the country. On Thursday, we are going to the GEMS head office in Pretoria to protest there. And so if that doesn’t happen, then we are the regulator in this industry is the Council for Medical Schemes. And they actually recommended that GEMS put up, they are increased by 3.3%. And so for GEMS to have tripled, that is actually quite alarming. And so that’s who, that’s the independent body that we will be asking to intervene in this case. But then we’re also looking at going to court.”

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