Barangay workers get SSS coverage
CLOSE to 800 barangay workers in San Jose and Victoria towns in Tarlac province are set to get social security coverage with the signing of an agreement on April 2.
Social Security System (SSS) President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet will sign an agreement with the Liga ng mga Barangay of the said towns that will pave the way for the plan.
In a statement, Macasaet noted that temporary government workers will be registered as self-employed members under the KaltaSSS-Collect Program.
“Job order and contract of service workers are not entitled to the benefits enjoyed by regular government employees and the services they rendered through the years can never be credited as government service,” he said.
“These workers play vital role in attaining the government sector’s goals, yet they lack the benefits of regular employees. That’s why SSS is here to bridge this gap by providing them adequate safety nets for future contingencies,” Macasaet added.
Self-employed members can avail of benefits like sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, death and funeral, including loan privileges such as salary and calamity loan, according to Macasaet.
Aside from the benefits and privileges, they will also be entitled to receive Employees’ Compensation (EC) in case of work-related contingencies.
“On top of the regular SS and EC benefits, SSS also offers an additional retirement savings scheme through our voluntary and mandatory provident fund programs which provide an additional layer of social security protection,” Macasaet said.
He also cited the Workers’ Investment and Savings Program (WISP), which is a mandatory provident fund for SSS members who are contributing to the regular SSS program under the Monthly Salary Credit (MSC) that exceeds P20,000.
For members who are paying below the P20,000 MSC, Macasaet said that SSS members can contribute anytime to the WISP Plus for as low as P500.
To qualify for benefits and other savings programs, participating partners shall facilitate the collection and remittance of their workers’ contributions through salary deduction scheme.
Macasaet will also meet with over 600 barangay officials and workers as well as other SSS stakeholders at the Bulwagang Kanlahi ng Diwa ng Tarlac to discuss the value of SSS membership and the benefits that the pension fund offers to its members.