MARCH 2, 2016

NR # 4127B

Bill condones unpaid SSS contribution of kasambahays

Rep. Sherwin T. Gatchalian (2nd District, Valenzuela City) has filed a bill condoning
the unpaid security system contributions of household employees or kasambahays.
Gatchalian said there is an urgent need to condone the unpaid SSS contribution of
the household helpers as proposed in House Bill 5976 since majority of them have no
capacity to pay due to poverty and meager salary.
Gatchalian said a big part of the salary of the household helpers is sent to their
families in their provinces for their daily needs and financial support for the education of
their siblings.
Only a small amount of their monthly salary is left to the household which is
usually allotted for personal consumption like soap and toothpaste, Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian said there about 123,402 registered household helpers with the SSS as of
2014. The numbers will increase if the government provides an incentive to the
employees through the implementation of a program that will lay-out easier payment
plans, waiving the sanctions for delinquent contributions, he said.
Gatchalian said the intent of the bill is to make a prospective application of the law
while at the same time providing the kasambahays the benefit of the social insurance
scheme.
It will likewise help the employers in the low and middle-income families to help
their kasambahays to pay their contributions to SSS, Gatchalian said.
Under the bill, any household helper who is a delinquent or has not remitted all
contribution due and payable to the SSS may still avail of the condonation program.
Household employee may still register with the SSS after or before the effectivity of
the measure. An unregistered house helper shall register with any of the SSS branch near
their residence.
The failure or refusal of the employer to par or remit the contribution under the
condonation program shall not prejudice the right of the employee to the benefits of the
coverage under the SSS law. (30) maprs