AKBAYAN Representative Rep. Perci Cendaña urged the Malacañang to prioritize the national minimum wage increase of Filipino workers and immediately suspend the Social Security System’s (SSS) contribution rate hike to 15%.
“Humingi ‘yung mga tao ng taas-sweldo, pero ang nakuha nila contribution hike? This increase is insensitive to the demands of the Filipino workers. It puts the burden on them instead of the government actually making an effort to resolve systemic issues. The SSS contribution rate hike has to be temporarily suspended,” the Akbayan Representative said.
Cendaña also highlighted that this premium hike aggravates the high price of basic commodities and fails to address the needs of Filipino families.
“Hindi na nga ma-afford ng mga pamilya ang presyo ng gasolina at bigas, babawasan pa natin lalo ang kita nila. Our government should be sympathetic to the plight of Filipinos when implementing policies,” he added.
The SSS contribution increase follows the Republic Act No. 11999, or Social Security Act of 2018, with the last 1% premium increase scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025.
