‘Suspend cruel SSS contribution hike’

MANILA, Philippines — The government should suspend the Social Security System (SSS)’ “cruel New Year’s gift” of higher contribution rates, from 14 to 15 percent, according to Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas.

“This is the government’s buena mano for 2025 – another round of burden for our workers,” Brosas said. “Instead of an additional salary, it gives additional deductions to the workers.”

Given the rising prices of goods and services, she said the timing of the increase is “absolutely tone-deaf.”

Private sector employees, household employers and domestic workers, self-employed workers, voluntary members and land-based overseas Filipino workers will be affected by the contribution increase, she noted.

“Instead of implementing anti-poor policies, the Marcos Jr. administration should prioritize giving immediate economic relief to workers through wage increases and comprehensive social protection,” Brosas said.

The SSS contribution rate hike is “absolutely unconscionable,” former Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares said yesterday.

“Workers are already dealing with increased water rates from both Maynilad and Manila Water, higher electricity rates from Meralco and now they have to shoulder bigger SSS contributions,” he said.

The veteran labor rights advocate authored in 2016 an SSS pension increase of P2,000.

Colmenares said the Duterte administration’s promised pension increase of P1,000 has not been fully delivered, yet the automatic contribution increase was swiftly implemented.

“The SSS is just like PhilHealth, which is obsessed with its funds rather than the benefits of its members,” he said, referring to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

“Why impose new rates when they can’t even efficiently collect the old ones? The new rates must be suspended until the SSS has demonstrated improved collection efficiency,” Colmenares said.