COSATU-affiliated unions to meet over opposition to GEMS contribution hike

Unions affiliated with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) will meet on Monday to discuss their opposition to a 9.8% contribution hike from the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS).

The bodies - including the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), National Education, the Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU), and the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) - are set to hold a media briefing at COSATU House in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, to lay out their response to the increase.

COSATU national spokesperson Zanele Sabela said the unions are angered by GEMS’s decision to raise contributions for 2026.

"The unions are also raising concerns about GEMS's governance issues and its disregard for collective bargaining. We’ll reveal more about our planned action tomorrow."

Sabela said the briefing will also cover planned protest actions, including countrywide lunchtime pickets on Tuesday.

"COSATU-affiliated unions will hold lunchtime pickets on Tuesday, 24 February, and on Thursday, 26 February, there will be a national demonstration at the GEMS head office in Pretoria."