Solon Proposed A Bill Expanding Jobless Insurance From SSS

Surigao del Sur Representative Johnny Ty Pimentel proposed a bill to increase the current amount of unemployment insurance employees can claim from the Social Security System (SSS) in the Philippines. 

House Bill No. 8594 seeks to expand the benefits and compensation of workers in the private sector.

Pimentel stated, “Our current circumstances present a more difficult reality for workers whose employment was severed due to pandemic-induced economic regression.” 

The bill proposes that laid-off workers should claim up to 50% of their monthly salary for a maximum of six months granted through a one-time payment. At present, displaced employees are only allowed 50% of their salary for a maximum of two months. 

He added, “We have to guarantee households income security and safeguard them against distress when breadwinners lose their jobs through no fault of their own.”

Additionally, the bill seeks to amend Republic Act 11199, also known as the Social Security Act of 2018. Under the said law, employment insurance is a cash grant and not a loan. It does not have to be repaid. 

HB 8594 covers employees, including household staff and overseas Filipino workers, who lost their jobs due to retrenchment or downsizing, closure or cessation of operation, installation of labor-saving devices, redundancy, or similar reasons.

SSS members may avail of the benefit so long as they have paid at least 36 monthly contributions, 12 months of which should be during the 18-month period immediately preceding the month of involuntary separation.