SSS grants benefits to injured workers

By Sheena Rosario

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Labor and Employment urged  workers to secure Social Security Service (SSS) membership  for financial risk protection in case of work-related injuries or accidents.

DOLE employees compensation commission information officer Gil Datayan, in radio interview, said government and private sector workers  who are Government Service Insurance System and SSS members are covered by the Employees Compensation Program that provides benefits in case of work-related injuries or accidents.

Datayan said ECP benefits include  income compensation, medical, rehabilitation services and carers’ allowance and death/funeral benefits, in case of work-related sickness, injuries, disability or death, including those happened while travelling to and from  the office.

“Any GSIS or SSS member can claim benefits and insurance under the EC program, regardless of their employment status and as long as there is an employer – employee relationship in their place of work,” Datayan said.

Based on DOLE – ECC data, there were 141 (88 SSS and 53 GSIS members) EC claims docketed in 2014  of which 139  were resolved.

Datayan said most EC claims were filed by miners or mining company workers.