Public servants' unions call for GEMS executives' salary cuts to match standards

UNIONS representing public servants are demanding that the Government Employees' Medical Scheme (GEMS) reduce its executives' salaries to align with senior functionaries in the state's departments.

- LOYISO SIDIMBA

Labour representatives at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) want GEMS to align its executives’ remuneration to the public service and a drastic reduction in the level of remuneration of the medical aid scheme’s board of trustees.

The unions, which include the largest representing government employees, the Public Servants Association (PSA) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu), believe that the initiatives undertaken by GEMS’ board of trustees are insufficient and want the PSCBC to add other basket of initiatives, including the reduction of the reserve ratio from 25% to 20%.

The Council for Medical Schemes requires a reserve or solvency ratio of 25% for medical aid schemes.