January 13, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — A group of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) yesterday opposed the increase in Social Security System (SSS) contributions, raising concerns over the financial burden it will impose on them.
Migrante International, an organization representing OFWs, claimed that these workers, who are already struggling financially, would be forced to pay for a system that provides “non-existent” social services in return.
Josie Pingkihan, Migrante’s secretary general, noted that many OFWs have suffered a significant decline in income due to rising prices of essential commodities abroad.
“Now, the SSS contributions will be increased, which the government of Marcos Jr. is still forcing our OFWs to pay,” Pingkihan said.
Migrante speculated that the new increase in contributions will most likely be used to fund the SSS’s operations and the salaries of its board, rather than an increase in pensions, arguing that the contribution increase is completely unjustified.
The SSS recently announced that starting this month, Filipinos will see an increase in their SSS monthly contribution as the state-run pension fund implements a 15-percent contribution hike, pursuant to the Social Security Act of 2018.
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