NOV.

24, 2013

NR # 3297

Barbers and make up artists to get SSS membership soon

A lawmaker has filed a bill protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of workers in the wellness centers, beauty and grooming salons, fitness gyms, spas and massage parlors by facilitating their membership in the Social Security System (SSS). Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendo a (!arty"list, #$%!) said under &ouse 'ill ())*, workers in wellness centers, beauty salons, fitness gyms and other interrelated ser+ices should be remo+ed from the definition of self"employed under the SSS law. Mendo a said barbershops, salons, spas, massage parlors, wellness or fitness centers or gyms, and any other similar entity to which the workers regularly report to render their ser+ices shall be considered their employers. ,#heir employers should deduct and withhold from them the a+erage monthly commissions, earnings, compensation or payment, as an employee-s contribution to the SSS,. Mendo a said. Mendo a said the bill, which seeks to amend Republic Act //0/ or the Social Security 1aw, remo+es the workers from the definition of self"employed under the SSS law irrespecti+e of the contractual arrangement or their non"recognition as employees. ,#hese workers would be able to continue being an acti+e SSS member and reap the benefits while they are still working or upon their retirement,. Mendo a said. According to Mendo a, workers of wellness centers or of the barbershops, or any other similar entity, lease the facilities of the centers and bring their own set of clients. Mendo a said the workers, who are being paid on a per"head basis, earn a commission or share in the payments due from their clients. #hey are not re2uired to obser+e office hours or report to the company e+eryday, and do not de+ote their time e3clusi+ely for one company for they are free to work on any other wellness facility, or to engage in any other employment. ,$nder the bill, these workers are considered self"employed, thus they pay their entire SSS membership dues, and there is no one to pay the heftier employer counterpart,. Mendo a said. ,4rrespecti+e of the contractual arrangement of their non"recognition as employees, or of the kind or source of the commissions, earnings, compensation or payment for their ser+ices, barbers, hairstylist, manicurists, make"up artists, masseuse, refle3ologists, gym trainers, fitness instructors or dieticians shall not be considered as self"employed,. Mendo a added. (5*) jc