Contractual employees in LGUs eligible under SSS

The MOA between the DILG and SSS allows contractual personnel to register under the SSS’ Expanded Self-employed Program Coverage

MANILA, Philippines – Contractual and job order (JO) personnel working in local governments units (LGUs) can now be covered under the Social Security System (SSS).

In a media bulletin issued Sunday, September 7, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the SSS to provide coverage to contractual and JO employees who are not members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

The MOA allows them to register under the SSS’ Expanded Self-employed Program Coverage as self-employed SSS members to gain access to financial assistance during times of contingencies such as maternity, sickness, disability, retirement or old age, and death.

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said he issued a directive to local government officials to encourage their personnel to enroll in the social fund protection.

“This will give equal opportunity to all those working in both national and local governments to enjoy the benefits of social security, whether they are holders of permanent positions or on a contractual or JO employment basis,” Roxas said.

While LGUs have no obligation to pay the employer counterpart of the SSS contributions of their JO and contractual personnel, they should ensure automatic deduction of SSS monthly contributions from the salaries of the employees. – Rappler.com