THE proposed cash aid for jobless private-sector workers under the pending bill amending the Social Security Act of 2018 falls short of being considered as unemployment insurance, according to a labor group.
Federation of Free Workers (FFW) President Jose Sonny G. Matula told the BusinessMirror that the bill failed to include a reemployment provision to be considered an effective social safety net.
“The allowance is not enough. It should connect workers to reemployment [programs] so they could find a new job,” Matula said in an ambush interview when he formalized his bid for the 2019 senatorial race.
He said the two-month financial assistance for a displaced worker will be insufficient to help that worker get new employment without the necessary job facilitation and skills-training program.
His proposal is supported by previous positions papers submitted by the Department of Labor and Employment and the recommendation of the International Labour Organization.
Senate Bill 1753 or the Social Security Act of 2018 aims to boost the revenue of the Social Security System (SSS) and expand its services.
It unemployment provision will apply to SSS members who are aged below 60 years old and have at least 36-month contributions.
Matula said the passage of an authentic unemployment insurance will be among his priority agendas if he is elected to the Senate, along with laws to restrict contractualization and to significantly increase wage rates.
Matula, who is part of the senatorial slate of the Labor Party-Philippines, filed his Certificate of Candidacy on Wednesday at the Commission on Elections together with FFW President Emeritus Allan S. Montaño.