DOLE, SSS up compliance of employers on payments

by Freddie Lazaro

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Social Security System (SSS) in Region 1 (Ilocos) met Jan. 20, to boost compliance of employers on social benefits.
    Speaking on behalf of DOLE Region 1 Director Exequiel Ronie A. Guzman, mediator-arbiter Atty. Amado Gasmin said the consultative meeting also aims to pave the way for a more fruitful collaboration between the two agencies for 2023.
    SSS La Union branch head Francisco Pentecostes and Atty. Kyra Erika Grace Gallano presented key SSS programs and benefits.
    The two SSS officials also provided insightful clarifications to DOLE Region 1 labor inspectors on the guidelines and policies surrounding the implementation of SSS benefits.
“    As the DOLE inspectors go in the ground to ensure that these general labor standards are observed, their interpretation of these social benefits should be aligned,” Gasmin said.
    “The DOLE is geared towards a recalibrated labor inspection this year, thus, we recognize the importance of stronger convergence with SSS to ensure full compliance of employers.”
Inspection results last year showed that about 2.7 percent of establishments inspected in Region 1 failed to remit the SSS payments of their workers.
    “The DOLE has no jurisdiction to enforce this particular social benefit, hence, we touch base with SSS to apprise them with this concern,” Gasmin said.
    To address this, DOLE and SSS will form a technical working group that shall visit establishments that fail to comply with this social coverage.
    “This 2023, the DOLE and SSS shall work closely hand-in-hand to ensure that all workers get to enjoy these coverages they so rightfully work hard for,” Gasmin added.