Workers classified as job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) under the Taguig City government will now get Social Security System (SSS) benefits.
The Taguig City government and SSS signed on Sept. 14 a memorandum of agreement for the self-employed program of JO and COS workers.
SSS said Taguig will serve as a “model city” for other local government units in the National Capital Region for the program which aims to expand SSS coverage to JO and COS workers.
Under Civil Service rules, “The services of the contract of service and job order workers are not covered by Civil Service law and rules thus, not creditable as government service. They do not enjoy the benefits enjoyed bv government employees, such as leave, PERA , RATA and thirteenth month pay.”
The agreement will allow JOs and COS workers to enjoy SSS benefits such as disability, sickness, maternity, old age, death and unemployment.
Mayor Lani Cayetano initially met with SSS officials and the Taguig Human Resources and Management Office to discuss the program.
An orientation program for JOs and COS personnel was conducted. The workers were asked to enroll in SSS as self-employed individuals, with the city government processing the deduction and remittance of premium contributions.
“As important members of the City of Taguig, your welfare is our utmost priority. Through our partnership with SSS, we want to ensure that you will have the benefits and protection that you need,” said Cayetano.
After one week, all 1,589 attendees registered for the SSS self-employed program.