COSATU Today 19 November 2009

SAMWUMED, the largest national medical scheme for local government employees, has confirmed that the contribution cost for members will rise by an average of 11% in 2010, a significant decrease from 2009.

The Council of Medical Schemes gave the green light for SAMWUMED’s 2010 benefits and contributions earlier this month.The Scheme has continued to show steady growth despite the recession and currently covers more than 30 000 members and their families. Since the Scheme’s inception in 1952, SAMWUMED’s vision has been to provide progressive primary healthcare services for its members.

“Through prudent planning and benefit management, we have not only succeeded in keeping our benefit plans stable during difficult times but we have also been able to add to our 2010 product offering. SAMWUMED’s benefit plan and contribution methodology is probably most closely aligned to the planned NHI model.”, says Mr. Neil Nair, SAMWUMED Fund Officer.

A new medication benefit category, the Primary Healthcare Benefit will provide a safety net for members to ensure that they have access to extended cover after their acute medication limits have been depleted.

The Scheme’s two benefit plans include generous day-to-day care for a range of chronic conditions and comprehensive hospital benefits. Members can use the doctor of their choice and have access to pharmacies through a network that allows for easy access across the country and ensures that members are not exposed to exorbitant medication levies.

According to a benchmarking report published by independent actuarial consultants, Fifth Quadrant, SAMWUMED’s administration costs are amongst the lowest in the healthcare industry. This means that the Scheme manages its benefit payouts carefully to ensure that it stays in line with the contributions received from members.

Notes to editors

· The South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) governs medical schemes within local government.

· Currently five schemes, including SAMWUMED are accredited to cater for local government employees.

· With its initial membership predominantly from the City of Cape Town, SAMWUMED re-launched itself nationally in 2001 when the benefit offering was significantly improved and Scheme administration was enhanced. 2. South Africa

2.1 ANC Gauteng launches the veterans league

Dumisa Ntuli , ANC 18 November 2009

The Gauteng ANC Veterans League (ANCVL) will be launched from 20-21 November 2009 at the Braamfontein Recreation centre The event, which will be attended by 250 delegates, will start 10h00.

The Deputy President of the ANC, Kgalema Motlanthe, has been invited to give a keynote address. The veterans league consists of all old stalwarts of the movement who are above 60 years of age and have 40 years of unbroken service in the ANC , many of them have contributed immensely to the struggle and to the freedom we are enjoying today.

Isithwalandwe and former President, Rolinhlanhla Nelson Mandela, Mama Albertina Sisulu, Mama Gxowa and many more stalwarts of the ANC have been invited to the launch.

The launch will be chaired by Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. The event will really be blessed with the attendance of stalwarts of the ANC. The launch is vital for future and historical reasons as it will serve as an organisational memory and assist to anchor political knowledge in deepening transformation in South Africa.

Most of the veterans consist of men and women who have chosen to dedicate their lives to the ultimate service of the people and the party. They have sacrificed most of their lives to serve the nation through struggles for the betterment of the South African society.

The launch is fitting and pivotal as many veterans are distinguished with their contribution in the ANC history and achievements. It is an extra-ordinary meeting of ANC elders to share reality as we mark our journey to the 21^st century. The launch will go a long way to assist our struggle to the realisation and creation of a non-racial and non-sexist society.

2.2 NUMSA gives Reserve Bank Governor thumbs down on interest rates

Irvin Jim ,NUMSA General Secretary, 18 November 2009

NUMSA has noted with disappointment the decision by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee announced by the newly appointed Governor Ms Gill Marcus.

The MPC decided to keep interest rates unchanged at seven percent. This conservative interest rates policy stance constitutes a wrong premise for Marcus particularly when in its own statement, the SARB’s MPC stated that economic growth is expected to remain below potential for some time.

NUMSA, the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) 52^nd National Conference (Polokwane 2007) and Elections Manifesto (2009), as well as the ANC-led Alliance’s Economic Policy Summit (2008) have clearly spelled out what is expected of the monetary and interest rates policies. This Alliance Summit identified a need for “urgent national reflection on the appropriateness of inflation targeting as well as the ranges chosen as policy for South Africa given its developmental challenges”.

The ANC’s elections manifesto took this further by stipulating that “Fiscal and monetary policy mandates including management of interest and exchange rates, need to actively promote the creation of decent employment, economic growth, broad-based industrialisation, reduced income inequality and other developmental imperatives”.

NUMSA believes that the SARB’s MPC decision to keep interest rates unchanged is misaligned to the above objective. The MPC should have cut interest rates, which would contribute towards relieving the working class and the poor from the ongoing crisis that the capitalists have caused. The union remains unshaken that the policy of inflation targeting must be scrapped. NUMSA shall continue to engage actively with SARB both in boardrooms and in streets until such time that the working class and the poor are prioritised.

NUMSA shall also continue the campaign to ensure that the SARB’s dependence on capitalists which is being championed under the guise of independence is eradicated. Along with this, NUMSA reiterates its call for the nationalisation of the SARB.

2. Letters

3.1 Interest rates unchanged at 7%

Abe van Zyl, 19 November 2009

I have read your commentary on the Reserve Bank’s decision to leave rates unchanged for the time being and although I agree with of your views and are also of the opinion that we need to look at the biggest culprits sabotaging our economy, namely the Commercial Banks and Money Lenders who are currently and despite a Res.

Bank rate of 7 percent still deem it fit to charge the public in general, three to four times that rate on overdrafts, loans and credit card facilities. The Banks have thus not spiralled lower Res.

Bank rates down to the public and you will no doubt agree that one will think twice before purchasing any item on your Credit card and pay 26/28 percent interest to finance the transaction.

The public in general are the only ones who will eventually get the economy going again and in doing so, create a demand for jobs. The one and two percent cut in Reserve Bank Rates will, when materialised in the future, have little effect on the economy.

Manufacturers can only start producing once people start buying and this will not happen as long as the cost of finance at ground floor level remains expensive.

I think the issue calls for further investigation.

Mluleki Mntungwa (Communications Officer)

COSATU ICT Unit

1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Street

Braamfontein

2007

P.O.Box 1019

Johannesburg

2000

South Africa

Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24

Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940

E-Mail: mlu...@cosatu.org.za

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COSATU Today 19 November 2009

Patrick Craven

Contents

1. Workers

1.1 SAMWUMED focuses on providing progressive health care for 2010