BAGUIO CITY – The Social Security System (SSS) of Baguio City has initiated a campaign aimed at extending social security protection to workers in the nightlife industry, including nightclub staff and KTV bar entertainers.
SSS Acting Vice President for Luzon North 1 Division Nancy Umoso emphasized the importance of encouraging nightlife workers to register as members to access a wide range of benefits during life’s unforeseen circumstances.
“Our vision at SSS is to provide a viable social security institution that offers universal and equitable social protection to all members through world-class service. We are dedicated to covering all workers, regardless of their chosen profession,” Umoso stated.
SSS Account Officers visited six nightclubs and KTV bars along Marcos Highway, successfully registering 47 individuals who are mostly entertainers. They also assisted these workers in obtaining their Social Security (SS) numbers and guided them in creating their My.SSS accounts.
Given that entertainers do not typically receive monthly salaries and earn on a commission basis, Umoso explained that they are categorized as self-employed members of the SSS. “They are responsible for paying their monthly SSS contributions, which can range from P760 to P5,280, depending on their declared monthly earnings.”
Meanwhile, Umoso noted that the night clubs they visited are compliant in terms of reporting and remitting the SSS contributions of their regular employees such as cooks, waiters and security personnel.
She added that regular payment of SSS contributions would make them eligible for various benefits, including those for sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral, and death.
“Additionally, they can receive extra benefits under the Employees’ Compensation Program for work-related sickness, injury, or death,” Umoso explained.
As SSS members, nightlife workers may also become eligible for various SSS loan programs, including the Salary Loan, Calamity Loan, and Pension Loan for retiree-pensioners.
