The Social Security System (SSS) is urging household employers to formally register their household helpers, or kasambahay, to ensure they are covered under the government’s social security program.
SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Joseph de Claro made the appeal following the launch of the Kasambahay Caravan on March 22, which rolled out across 43 sites in Metro Manila and Rizal.
“Household helpers keep our homes running smoothly but often lack emergency protection. This initiative ensures every kasambahay can access SSS benefits such as sickness, maternity, disability, unemployment, retirement, funeral, and death,” de Claro said.
He added that registered household workers would also be eligible for loan programs, including salary and calamity loans.
“They will also get additional protection from the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program for work-related sickness, disability, or death,” he noted.
SSS NCR Operations Group Acting Senior Vice President Benjamin Dolindo Jr. emphasized that the caravan seeks to strengthen coverage for domestic workers.
“Social security coverage for the sector that is truly important in our homes is a shared responsibility. May we continue fulfilling our responsibility to ensure that every house helper is registered and protected,” he said.
The caravan forms part of a broader campaign to bring registration and membership services closer to household workers and employers who remain outside the formal system.
Under Republic Act 11199, employers are required to register household helpers within 30 days of hiring and remit their contributions.
For those earning ₱5,000 or more per month, employers deduct the employee’s share, add their own contribution, and pay through accredited channels. Employers fully shoulder contributions for helpers earning ₱5,000 or less.
Social Security Commissioner Eva Arcos underscored the importance of viewing social security as a long-term investment.
“We should look at social security as an investment rather than an expense. For every employer who registers their kasambahay, they are not only paying a contribution but also securing a safety net for a worker who helps run their household,” she said.