SAHR 2007 - Health Systems Trust

LFS further illustrated that the provision of medical scheme
Government and parastatal employers, who employ approximately
Source: Broomberg, 2005; 36 StatsSA, 2004. 38
20% of the formally employed, have the highest level benefits is positively related to the size of the company and
of medical scheme provision. This is despite the fact that the extent of unionisation. The larger and more formal the
in the lower income categories of the formally employed companies and the higher the union membership, the more
government sector, coverage is relatively low. Data from the likely it is that medical scheme benefits are provided. 36
Figure 5: Percentage of formal, permanent employees with employer-provided benefits by gross monthly personal
wage (Rands per month), 2004
120
100
92
89 92
96
95 96
94 97
91
86
87
82
82
80
72
75
72
60
52
56
55
43
40
29
25
20
13
7
0
1 000 or less 1 001 - 1 500 1 501 - 2 500 2 501 - 3 500 3 501 - 4 500 4 501 - 6 000 6 001 - 8 000 8 001 or more
Employer provided medical benefits
for self and / or dependants
Employer contribution to pension
or retirement fund
Paid leave
Source: Broomberg, 2005; 36 StatsSA, 2004. 38
Figure 6: Percentage of formal sector, permanent employees with medical benefits by industry, 2004
Percentage with
medical benefits
Community, social and personal service
Manufacturing
Wholesale and retail trade
69
40
25
Financial intermediation, insurance,
real estate and business services
Agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing
Mining and quarrying
Transport, storage and communication
Construction
Electricity, gas and water supply
48
9
56
57
21
80
0 500 1 000 1 500 2 000
Employer provided medical benefits
for self and / or dependants
No medical benefits provided
Percentage
114