Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas (PPAB)

Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas is urging the government to suspend the increase in the Social Security System’s (SSS) contribution rates to 15 percent, arguing that it will further burden workers who are already struggling to cope with high prices of basic goods and services.

In a statement on Friday, Jan. 3, Brosas called the rate increase a "cruel New Year's gift" that would make daily living for Filipinos even more difficult.

"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,” she said.

"This is the government's buena mano for 2025—another round of burden for our workers. Sa halip na dagdag sahod, dagdag kaltas ang ibinigay sa mga manggagawa," the congresswoman added.

(Instead of a salary increase, workers were granted more deductions.)

The hike to 15 percent took effect on Wednesday, Jan. 1. It will apply to private sector employees, household employers and domestic workers, self-employed individuals, voluntary members, and land-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The increase in contribution rates aligns with Republic Act (RA) No. 11199, or the Social Security Act of 2019.

Brosas, an assistant minority leader, says the "absolutely tone-deaf" increase is essentially “squeezing dry” the already overburdened workers.

"Bakit ba ipinipilit ng gobyerno na kumayod nang kumayod ang mga manggagawa para sa SSS contribution increase habang hindi naman sinisigurado ang maayos na benepisyo at serbisyo?” she asked.

(Why does the government insist on workers continuously laboring for SSS contribution increases while proper benefits and services are not ensured?)

In a separate statement, former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares pointed out the agency’s supposed failure to address its collection inefficiencies.

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

According to the former congressman, the SSS should focus first on improving its collection efficiency and reducing unnecessary expenses before implementing any rate increases.

"This is a classic case of passing the burden to ordinary workers while failing to address fundamental issues in collection and management,” he noted.