Over 1K employers asked to settle P355M in unremitted SSS contributions
Over 1K employers asked to settle P355M in unremitted SSS contributions
MANILA, Philippines: More than 1, 200 employers all over the country were asked to settle their unremitted contributions to about 19,000 workers amounting to over P335 million, the Social Security System (SSS) said on Wednesday.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, in a statement to The Manila Times, urged workers to be vigilant and regularly check if their contribution records were updated as the SSS pursued delinquent employers nationwide.
“Our members can now easily check if their SSS contribution record is updated using the My.SSS Portal, which they can access through their smartphones. If they find out that their employers are not remitting their contributions, we advise them to report it immediately to our SSS branch office to investigate,” Macasaet said.
He said his agency’s Run after Contribution Evaders (RACE) operations have resulted in the issuance of violation notices to more than 1,200 employers.
Macasaet advised employers to religiously remit their workers’ contributions so they would not deprive their employees of SSS benefits.
If the workers’ contribution records are not updated, they will not be entitled to claim SSS benefits or apply for loan programs, the official said.
“For example, an SSS member was hospitalized for 10 days due to an illness. Suppose their employer is not remitting the SSS contributions, in that case, they will be unqualified to receive sickness benefits from SSS because one of the requirements of the benefit is to have updated contributions,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of an up-to-date contribution record, as the monthly contributions of SSS members serve as the basis for qualifying for SSS benefits.
Meanwhile, Macasaet issued a stern warning to delinquent employers, making it clear that SSS will not hesitate to file charges against them, adding that “non-remittance of SSS premiums is a criminal offense that violates Republic Act 11199.’
Under the law, an employer who fails to register his/her employees or has not deducted and remitted their contributions to SSS will be penalized with a fine of P5,000 to P20,000 and face imprisonment ranging from six years and one day to 12 years.