House labor body tackles amendment to Social Security Act

CEBU, Philippines - The House committee on labor and employment has started the discussions on the proposed measure seeking to provide involuntary separation benefits to retrenched employees.

Sixth District Rep. Gabriel Luis Quisumbing, author of House Bill 4977, said the committee has already started the initial discussions and is scheduled to hold a hearing soon.

HB 4977 seeks to amend the Republic Act 8282 or the Social Security Act to expand the benefits of the Social Security System. It is primarily intended to provide involuntary separation benefits to workers who lose jobs because of retrenchment.

The bill likewise proposes economic assistance for workers facing loss of income due to unemployment or retrenchment arising from cessation or closure of business operations.

Quisumbing said the labor and employment committee is expected to invite the officials of the SSS, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) and other concerned organizations to provide inputs and submit their position on the proposed measure.

Assistant Secretary Ma. Joji V. Aragon of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) welcomes the proposed measure. She said it will cushion the impact of the global economic crisis.