DAVAO CITY – The militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno on Tuesday said the calamity relief package announced by the Social Security System in the wake of typhoon Lando is “not enough to provide relief to workers and pensioners” in areas under state of calamity.
“The Salary Loan Early Renewal Program (which allows members to renew loans earlier than the prescribed date), the SSS Direct House Repair and Improvement Loan Program (which imposes an interest rate of six percent on loans for house repairs), and the three-month advance payment for members receiving pensions under the SSS and Employees’ Compensation Program should all be replaced,” said KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis.
He said “workers and retirees who were badly affected by Lando’s onslaught need assistance, not more loans or mere advance payments.”
“Workers and pensioners were already suffering from poverty even before the typhoon struck. The workers’ fund, together with the government, should extend actual help to the members of the SSS, who belong to the most hard-working sections of our population,” said Adonis.
KMU also said an immediate assistance of P20,000 would be enough to provide workers and pensioners immediate relief.
“The amount would cover the cost of house repairs, of school supplies and appliances destroyed by the typhoon, and of food for a few days for an average-sized family,” said Adonis.
The group believes SSS has enough funds to provide immediate relief to workers and pensioners.
“It should try to increase that by improving its collection efficiency, going after employers who refuse to remit workers’ contributions, reducing huge bonuses to board members, and reducing administrative costs,” said Adonis. (davaotoday.com)
