Public sector unions are mobilising for nationwide protests against the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS)
This follows a decision to hike membership contributions by 9.8% this year, with a minor adjustment to 9.5% slated for April
Federations, including Cosatu, Saftu, and Fedusa, believe the scheme has abandoned its mandate of affordability
The frustration hit the streets, culminating in a massive nationwide march to the GEMS offices in Pretoria
Fedusa’s Joseph Mashigo says the concern is that we are not just looking at 2025
"We are looking at the increase that has accumulated over time, because in 2025, and that is not even looking, you know, back to other years, but if we were to take it from 2025 itself, GEMS implemented an increase of 13.4%. Now, when you add that to the increase of 9.8%, which was revised from February to 9.5%, we are talking of around a 23% increase. Now, that is a very high increase" - Fedusa’s Joseph Mashigo
Trade unions in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) have rejected the 9.8% Government Employees Medical Scheme (Gems) hike
The unions addressed the media on Sunday, regarding the planned programme of action by public servants against the Gems. The public sector unions include trade union federation Fedusa and its affiliates, Hospersa, Naptosa, Natu, PEU, PSA and SAOU, together with Sapu and Nupsaw
The protest follows the decision to implement a 9.8% membership contribution increase from January 2026, followed by a revised 9.5% adjustment effective 1 April 2026
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Updated: February 2026
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