KMU asks SSS to explain plan to hike premium

MANILA, Philippines - A labor group on Wednesday urged the Social Security System management to call for a public consultation and explain how increasing the SSS premium contribution of private employees would be used.

The SSS management plans to jack up the SSS contribution, with 50 percent to be shouldered by the employer while other half by the employee. 

Sammy Malunes of the Kilusang Mayo Uno said the 50-percent increase in the monthly SSS contribution of private sector workers would be an additional burden.

"Bakit kailangang i-jack ang premium? Dapat linawin kung saan ang investment na 'yan. Gaining investment o losing side ng investment ba yan? Or otherwise mismangenement ng pera natin. Ang KMU  ay nanawagan na ipaliwanag in public ng SSS kung saan napupunta ang investment," Malunes told a media briefing in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Malunes said that if this additional premium to be imposed by the SSS management is because of its losses, then it should not be shouldered by the SSS members.

"Hindi dapat balikatin ng SSS member ang mga losses nito. Inaasahan natin na palaguin ang perang ito kasi nagiging modus operandi pa ito ng malalaking business partikular na sa real estate," he added.

Malunes explained that the additional SSS contribution to a minimum wage worker would be something difficult as this will translate to P300 less in his salary per month.

"Hindi nila kakayanin ito kasi tandaan natin nagbabanta ang pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin next year," he said.