The Social Security System (SSS) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have signed an agreement to extend social security coverage to an estimated 1.5 million freelancers and virtual assistants in the Philippines.
The two agencies signed a memorandum of understanding on October 21. It aims to promote social security membership and compliance among workers in the online freelancing industry.
SSS President and CEO Victor Alfonso Limlingan said the partnership would support the sector through skills training, competency development and wider access to social security benefits.
He said the agreement also seeks to raise awareness, registration and membership among freelancers and online workers under Republic Act No. 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2018.
Under the arrangement, freelancers and virtual assistants will be encouraged to register as self-employed SSS members. Self-employed members are eligible for sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral and death benefits.
They may also apply for the SSS loan programs. Members can get added coverage under the Employees’ Compensation Program for work-related sickness, disability or death.
The SSS contribution rate is currently 15 percent. For self-employed members, the monthly salary credit used to compute contributions ranges from ₱5,000 to ₱35,000. The lowest monthly contribution is ₱760. That amount consists of ₱750 for the regular SSS contribution and ₱10 for the Employees’ Compensation contribution.
