Tubigon dads mull SSS

Coverage for ‘casuals’

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, March 29, (PIA) –There is hope for social security coverage for the 600+ job order and casual contractual employees of Tubigon, Bohol.

This as both Mayor William R. Jao and Vice Mayor Rene Villaber intimated to the Social Security System (SSS) Bohol Field Office through Engr. Alieta Basubas the local government unit’s intention of enrolling their support staff and employees under the government’s social security coverage under the voluntary membership.

During the visit of the SSS Relief Afforded to Challenged Employers (RACE) Team to conduct its campaign on engaging business owners with delinquent contributions, RACE Team leader and SSS Vice President for the Visayas Atty. Alberto Montalbo pitched on the possible LGU help to relieve their workers from the burdens associated with work emergencies.

Working on job order and contracts, these over 600 local government support staff do not have formal employer-employee relations and without the Civil Service eligibility, their employment status .

They can go through the SSS way however.

Government contract of service and job order workers are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System due to their employment status.

But there are ways where LGUs can get their non-GSIS workers getting covered by a social security and can avail of benefits in times of contingencies.

The SSS usually signs a Memorandum of Undertaking with the LGU concerned to allow them to act as the SSS coverage and collection partner, and as a collecting partner, SSS authorizes the LGU to collect and remit their employee members their monthly contributions through a salary-deduction scheme.

An SSS facility called KaltaSSS-Collect Program, has been up and serving LGUs and agencies for this purpose, according to the SSS.

Daku gyud kayo og ikatabang, said Vice Mayor Villaber, hearing Mayor William Jao’s intent for the good of their workers.

In fact, the LGU also invited the SSS to put up a satellite office in the town so as the residents could transact their businesses in the town and save costs.

As to the mayor, he said despite his being a GSIS member, as an overseas contract worker before he became a mayor, he intends to see if he had SSS coverage then, so he can continue as a voluntary contributor, if he has not completed the SSS maturity.

With the MOU between the two parties, even the LGU’s GSIS member who used to be SSS contributors can continue paying contributions as voluntary members.

The MOU would now allow the LGU to assist interested workers to register or enroll at SSS and in ensuring the prompt remittance of their SSS contributions.

As future SSS members, LGU casual and contractual workers can be entitled to social security protection arising from contingencies such as sickness, maternity, retirement, disability, and death. They shall also become eligible to SSS’ various loan programs.(PIA-7/Bohol)

IMAGINE THE SAVINGS. Tubigon Mayor William Jao told the SSS that wasting a day plus P200 in gares just to pay for one’s SSS contribution in Tagbilaran is too much. Mayor Jao invited SSS through Visayas VP Atty Alberto Montalbo to open an office in Tubigon. (PIABohol)

CHAMPIONING THE WORKERS. They may be lowly paid but casual and job order workers help immensely in letting the government churn its wheels. Here, Tubigon Mayor Willam Jao receives the appreciation for the SSS for allowing workers to enroll in the SSS. (PIABohol)