MILITANT workers under the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) urged the Supreme Court on Friday to stop the Social Security System (SSS) from collecting higher fees from its 30 million members.
KMU asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the 0.6 percent hike in SSS monthly contribution starting this month, saying the state pension fund is not running low on money.
"We are hoping that the high court would heed our workers' and the people's demand to hold the SSS premium hike. It would even be better if the SC would issue a permanent injunction against the hike," the labor group said.
SSS claimed that the rate increase is necessary to cover the accumulated unfunded liability worth P1.1 trillion since 1980.
MalacaƱang also defended the policy as the increases were allegedly minimal and affordable and will benefit SSS members.
Specifically, the Palace said the maximum daily allowance for illness will go up by P30 from P450 to P480 while the maximum daily allowance of maternity benefits will increase by P33 from P500 to P533 daily.
The SSS board recently drew criticism for rewarding themselves with P9.3 million in bonuses or up to P1 million each despite claiming the lack of funds to sustain future payouts.
Senator Ralph Recto has since called for a legislative probe into the increase.
He said Congress should make an assessment and review the law on government corporations in order to improve the delivery of services to their respective members and contributors. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)