4,000 SSS employees rally against privatization

The 4,000-strong Alert and Concerned Employees for a Better SSS (ACCESS) vowed yesterday to lead a big anti-privatization motorcade tomorrow and a rally at Malacañang on Monday as they picketed the Social Security System (SSS) building in Quezon City yesterday to condemn the Arroyo administration’s plan to sell the SSS to the private sector.

ACCESS president Dr. Carol Basilio said tomorrow’s motorcade will pass by all SSS branches in Quezon City, Manila and Makati. On Monday, they will stage a rally near Malacañang in coordination with the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the Confederation for the Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE).

In yesterday’s protest action, the rallyists also demanded the immediate resignation of SSS chief executive officer Vitaliano Nanagas.

"We are determined to make Nanagas the first top official of the Arroyo administration to be kicked out of office," said ACCESS president Dr. Carol Basilio, who vowed to lead daily noise barrages and roving pickets in front of the SSS building.

Nanagas, who has been at the helm of the SSS for only five months, gained the wrath of his subordinates after they discovered his determination to have the agency privatized.

Basilio said they cannot be deceived by the assurance of Nanagas nor Malacañang that the privatization will go through the legislative process.

She said the government ran over the regular process and railroaded the privatization of Napocor. She also cited the trauma encountered by employees with privatization.

"We have the experience of MWSS and the Philippine National Bank, to warn us against the evils of privatization," she stressed.

Meanwhile, KMU spokesperson Sammy Malunes said the Arroyo administration should keep its hands off the SSS because its 23 million members are against its privatization. He said the workers are firmly against the plan to privatize SSS, saying that the P174-billion funds of the 43-year-old SSS come from the blood, sweat and tears of Filipino workers.

"Privatizing the SSS whether in part or in is entirety is tantamount to stealing from the workers," he said.

The KMU also attacked the SSS administration’s attempt to mislead its employees and SSS beneficiaries by saying it is not going to be privatized, but instead it will undergo outsourcing.— Sandy Araneta