Philippines Encourages Platform Workers to Claim Benefits

MANILA, Philippines — Delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers, and other platform workers in the Philippines are being strongly encouraged by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to claim benefits under the Employees' Compensation Program (EC Program) for work-related sickness, injury, disability, or death. The program covers registered Social Security System (SSS) members, including self-employed workers who have been covered by the SSS since September 2020, and have paid at least one monthly contribution. DOLE reiterated its encouragement for all self-employed platform workers, including gig workers, app-based contractors, delivery riders, and TNVS drivers registered under the SSS, to review their eligibility and actively claim the financial and medical benefits available to them through the EC Program. The program provides benefits to workers or their dependents in cases of work-related sickness, injury, disability, or death. According to information posted on the SSS website, the program offers six types of benefits. These include income benefits for lost income due to temporary total disability, permanent total disability, or permanent partial disability arising from work. The daily sickness allowance for temporary total disability ranges from P110 to P480, while an additional P1,150 benefit is provided for permanent disabilities. Medical services, appliances, and supplies: The program reimburses expenses for medicines, medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, and necessary appliances or supplies. Medical services during confinement are limited to ward services. Rehabilitation services: Workers may receive remedial treatment, vocational assessment, and preparation intended to help them return to suitable employment. Carer's allowance: Workers whose job-related permanent disabilities limit their ability to attend to basic daily needs may receive a P1,000 monthly allowance. Funeral benefit: A P30,000 benefit may be paid to the surviving spouse, children, or any person who can prove that they paid the funeral expenses of a worker who died from a work-related cause. Death benefit: Qualified beneficiaries may receive a pension when a worker dies because of a compensable sickness or injury. To be eligible for benefits, a worker must be registered with the SSS and must have paid at least one monthly contribution before the sickness, accident, or disability occurred. Monthly contributions are P10 for employees or self-employed workers earning from P4,250 to P14,749.99, and P30 for those earning at least P14,750, according to the agency. Furthermore, the sickness, injury, or death must be work-connected, and the SSS must be notified of the incident. According to DOLE, an EC claim can be filed with the SSS by either the self-employed individual or a family member, and it must be submitted within three years.