As a worker in the Philippines, you have the right to a number of government-mandated benefits that are meant to keep you safe and financially stable. Both workers and employers need to know about these perks in order to follow the rules and get the most out of them. Below is a list of the most important government-mandated employee perks in the Philippines, including contributions to social security, health insurance, and housing programs.
1. Benefits from the Social Security System (SSS)
The SSS gives employees a lot of different perks to help them through different life events. These are:
- Sickness Benefit: Money for workers who can’t work because they’re sick or hurt from an accident.
- Maternity Benefit: Money to help female workers throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
- Disability Benefit: Help for workers who have a partial or full disability.
- Retirement Benefit: Employees get monthly pensions or a one-time payment when they retire.
- Funeral Benefit: Money to help pay for the funeral of a member who has died.
- Loan Programs: You can get loans for your payroll/salary, a disaster, or a home.
Employees and employers both pay into the SSS, which is dependent on the employee’s monthly salary. Make sure your employer sends in these payments on time to keep your eligibility.
2. Benefits from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
PhilHealth is a health insurance plan that helps employees pay for medical care. Some of the main benefits are:
- Inpatient Benefits: Covers the costs of hospitalization, such as accommodation and board, medications, and professional fees.
- Outpatient Benefits: Help with day surgeries, dialysis, and other procedures that don’t require a hospital stay.
- Maternity Care: Help with giving delivery and prenatal care.
- Special packages: These cover things like cancer treatment and kidney transplants.
PhilHealth is paid for by both employees and employers, and the amount they pay depends on how much money they make. Check your PhilHealth payments to make sure you can still get healthcare benefits.
3. Benefits of the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund)
The Pag-IBIG Fund helps workers save money and find places to live. Advantages include:
- Savings Program: You have to make payments that earn dividends every year, which helps you save money for the future.
- Housing Loans: Low-cost loans for buying, building, or improving a home.
- Multi-Purpose Loans: Loans that can be used for miscellaneous expenses, school, or other immediate needs.
- Calamity Loans: Help with money for members who have been hurt by natural calamities.
Employees put some of their pay into Pag-IBIG, and their employers match that amount. To get these benefits, you need to have your Pag-IBIG Membership ID (MID) Number on hand.
4. Pay for the 13th month
Philippine labor regulations say that workers must get a 13th-month pay, which is equal to one month’s income, by December 24 of each year. This benefit is available to all regular workers who have worked for at least one month during the calendar year.
5. Other Required Benefits
Paid Leave: Employees who have worked for at least a year are entitled to five days of paid leave each year. They can utilize this time for vacation or sick leave.
Holiday Pay: Extra pay for working on normal and extraordinary holidays, as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) says.
Overtime Pay: Extra pay for work done over eight hours a day, usually at least 25% more than the regular hourly rate.
Why it’s important to know your benefits
Knowing about these government-mandated perks gives you the power to get what you’re owed and makes sure your company follows labor regulations. To be sure you’re eligible, verify your SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG contributions on their websites or in person on a regular basis. If you have problems, such not getting your contributions, you should get in touch with the right agency (SSS, PhilHealth, or Pag-IBIG) or DOLE for help.
As an employee in the Philippines, you should stay up to date, preserve your rights, and make the most of the benefits that are meant to keep you safe and healthy.