Brosas: SSS contribution hike a 'cruel New Year's gift'

House Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women's Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas on Friday cried foul over the Social Security System's (SSS) contribution rate increase, which she described as a "cruel New Year's gift."

"This is the government's buena mano for 2025 - another round of burden for our workers. Sa halip na dagdag sahod, dagdag kaltas ang ibinigay sa mga manggagawa," Brosas said.

(Instead of higher wages, our workers will get additional salary deductions.)

Brosas was referring to the scheduled 15% contribution rate hike provided under Social Security Act of 2018, which will take effect this month.

“The timing of the increase is "absolutely tone-deaf" given the continuous rise in prices of basic goods and services," said the lawmaker..

"Bakit ba ipinipilit ng gobyerno na kumayod nang kumayod ang mga manggagawa para sa SSS contribution increase habang hindi naman sinisigurado ang maayos na benepisyo at serbisyo?,” she added

(Why is the government forcing our workers to pay additional SSS contribution when it does not even lift a finger in ensuring that the SSS is providing significant benefits and services?)

GMA News Online has reached out to SSS for comment and will publish it as soon as it becomes available.

Brosas, meanwhile, called for the suspension of the SSS contribution hike and urged the government to focus on providing substantial wage increases and social services to workers.

"Hindi dapat gawing New Year's resolution ang pagpapahirap sa mga Pilipino," Brosas said.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News