The Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office 1 is keen in forging stronger partnership with the Social Security System, as the two agencies met for a consultative meeting on January 20, 2023 at the DOLE RO1 Conference Room, City of San Fernando, La Union.

Speaking on behalf of Regional Director Exequiel Ronie A. Guzman, Mediator Arbiter Atty. Amado Gasmin said the consultative meeting aimed to pave the way for a more fruitful collaboration between DOLE and SSS for the year 2023.

SSS La Union Branch Head Francisco Pentecostes and Atty. Kyra Erika Grace Gallano presented key SSS programs and benefits.

The SSS officers also provided insightful clarifications to the DOLE RO1 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.”

Based on 2022 inspection results, about 2.7% of establishments inspected in Region 1 were found out to have failed to remit 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,” Atty. Gasmin said.

To address this, DOLE and SSS have conceptualized to 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,” Atty. Gasmin said.

 

Last Updated on January 25, 2023 by Justin Paul Marbella