SSS program covers contractual, jo workers

By Connie Calipay

Some 107 contractual and job order (JO) workers of the Department of Trade Industry in Bicol (DTI-5) are now be covered by the Social Security System (SSS).

Jeanette Mapa, SSS-Legazpi spokesperson, said in an interview that the coverage is under the KaltaSSS-Collect Program and is covered by a memorandum of agreement (MOA) recently signed by the two government agencies.

"The KaltaSSS-Collect Program offers an automatic salary-deduction scheme of the monthly SSS contribution of the covered JOs and contractual workers who will be registered as self-employed members of the SSS while their respective employers, such as national government agencies, state colleges, and universities, local water districts, and LGUs (local government units), will be responsible (for) remitting their monthly contributions to SSS through a salary deduction scheme,” Mapa said.

She said the JOs and contractual workers may now enjoy social security protection, including sickness, maternity, disability, unemployment, death, and funeral benefits.

“They may also avail of loan privileges, such as salary, calamity, educational loan assistance, and housing, among others,” Mapa added.

At least 14 government agencies in Legazpi City with 649 actively paying members are covered by the KaltaSSS-Collect Program. (PNA)