SSS tells employers: ‘Pay for your workers’ contributions’

By Paulo DS. Papa

AS a gesture of concern to workers, the Social Security System (SSS) in Bicol Region again hit the streets on Friday, April 28, to act on plaints against erring employers who have been remiss in performing their obligation to pay for their workers’ monthly contributions.

Called Run After Contribution Evader (RACE), the campaign enable the personnel of the state-run social insurance firm to issue stern warning to at least 6 business establishments in the city and Camarines Sur which the agency found violating the law.

Aside from the SS Law violation, a delinquent employer is also liable for the crime of estafa because non-remittance of employees’ SSS contributions is considered a form of fraud and that the employer can face imprisonment under the Revised Penal Code.

SSS Luzon Bicol Division Vice President Elenita Samblero said that they compelled the establishment owners to settle the violation they committed within 15 days from the time they received the order.

The Social Security Act of 1997 (Republic Act 8282) requires all employers in the Philippines to deduct the monthly SSS contributions from their employees’ salaries, pay their share of contributions, and remit these contributions to the SSS on time.

The businesses that were ordered to expeditiously rectify their offense is composed of a Naga-based driving school and a veterinary clinic, a construction and trucking firm in Minalabac town, a catering service and a dealer of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Pili, in Camarines Sur.

Samblero said that they decided not to post online or expose the names and identities of the violators even the names of their companies as they are also considering the employers’ situation whose businesses were greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in 2020 and 2021 when it was at its peak.

Samblero also advised the employees to avail the condonation program being offered by the agency to clear their records and enjoy further benefits from the SSS.

She said that unpaid loans are real headaches on the part of the employees thus they have to settle them immediately. The condonation program is aimed to assist SSS members in paying their loans.

Members who are interested to avail the program shall have outstanding salary loans e.g. Salary Loan, Early Renewal Program, Calamity, Emergency and Restructured Loans.

They are required also to have past-due short-term membership loan at the time of their application, have not been granted any final benefit such as permanent total disability or retirement, have not been disqualified due to fraud committed against the SSS and have an active My.SSS account.