The Social Security System (SSS) recently affirmed their commitment to provide coverage for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), which is a component of RA 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018. The government agency made the announcement after various members of the OFW community previously claimed they were not consulted on the matter.
After public consultations were held earlier this year, which were attended by members of the Filipino Association of Mariners’ Employment Inc., Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc., Joint Manning Group, Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines, Coalition of Licensed Agencies for Domestic, and Service Workers Inc., SSS noted, as of March 2019, the government agency reported a total of 325,061 OFWs were making regular contributions.
The government agency said they have seen an increase in revenue, recording a jump from a total of P159 billion in 2017 to P181 billion in 2018.
Section 9-B of RA 11199 states, “Coverage in the SSS shall be compulsory upon all sea-based and land-based OFWs.” It also notes, “All benefit provisions under this act apply to all covered OFWs.”
Earlier this week, during a recent visit to Bacolod City, Senator-elect Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go said one of his primary objectives is to create the Department for Overseas Filipino Workers, which would deal with cases of abuse against OFWs./WDJ