Business, trade and labor groups have sought for the deferment of the increase in the Social Security System (SSS) monthly contributions of both employees and workers as a relief during the pandemic.
A statement said heads of 10 private sector and workers’ groups in a Sept. 27, 2021 joint letter have appeal to President Duterte to immediately release the executive order (EO) that would implement the deferment of the increase.
Duterte on May 26, 2021 approved Republic Act (RA) No. 11548, which gives him the authority to defer the scheduled increase in SSS premium contributions for the duration of the declaration of state of calamity.
“However, four months after the enactment of the law, the EO implementing the Act has yet to be issued, even as the higher SSS premium already took effect last January 2021,” the statement added.
SSS members’ monthly contributions were increased to 13 percent of their incomes at the start of the year, higher than the current 12 percent contribution drawn from their salaries.
“It is in this light that we are constrained to write to the President for urgent action on this pending request for the deferment. We have yet to fully reopen and many have already lost their income sources either permanently or temporarily,” the joint letter said.
They said the deferment would allow embattled micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to continue to operate their businesses and provide jobs amid the prolonged challenges of the new coronavirus disease 2019.
“Postponing the implementation of the higher SSS premium will be a critical recovery measure by helping sustain the cash flow especially of the very vulnerable MSMEs. It will also serve as a very concrete government contribution to the National Employment Recovery Strategy program that is implemented with the private sector.”
The letter was signed by the heads of trade and business groups, namely, Benedicto Yujuico, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Edgardo Lacson, chairman of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines; Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc.; Henry Lim Bon Liong, president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Edgar Chua, chairman of the Makati Business Club; and Aurelio Montinola III, president of the Management Association of the Philippines.
It was co-signed by labor leaders Raymond Democrito Mendoza, president of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines; Jose Matula, president of the Federation of Free Workers; Daniel Edralin, chairman of the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa; and Rene Magtubo, national chairman of the Partido Manggagawa. ###
