SAN JOSE, Antique – The sugar migrant workers (sacada) desk of the provincial government of Antique is calling on contractors to enroll their workers in the Social Security System (SSS).
Sacada desk in-charge Randy Ardeño said they will be meeting with 63 sacada contractors on July 13 to discuss the new requirement for them to hire 3,286 Antiqueño workers for sugar plantations in Negros Occidental.
“Before the contractors could transport the sacadas to Negros Occidental beginning last week of September this year they have to enroll them as SSS members first,” he said.
Previously, sacadas, at the start of the milling season (last week of September until April), were promised to be enrolled with the condition that it would be deducted from their wages.
However, they found out that the premiums deducted from their wages were never remitted by their contractors.
This time, Gov. Rhodora Cadiao wants to make sure the sacadas are enrolled with the SSS before they leave for Negros Occidental.
“It could be possible that the planters or contractors will pay the insurance (premium) deductible from the sacadas’ wages,” said Ardeño.
Cadiao requested the Antique office of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Antique Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) where the sacada desk belongs for the additional requirement, Ardeño said.
DOLE issues the Authority to Travel while the sacada desk provides for the valid identification (ID) cards of registered migrant sugar workers.
With the additional requirement, both will only be issued to those who are already enrolled with the SSS.
The Authority to Travel is presented to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) before they are allowed to board a passenger ferry going to Negros Occidental usually in the Iloilo City or Dumangas Port in Iloilo province.
Leory Ninora, SSS Antique information officer, said that a member has to pay the premium of PHP400 per month; PHP265 will be shouldered by the employer and P135 by the employee, which will be deducted from their wages.
After a month of payment or premium contribution, they can already avail of benefits such as disability, sickness, and funeral claims.
Other claims like retirement can be availed after 120 months of contribution while women sacadas can avail of the maternity benefit after three months of contribution. (PNA)
