Household helpers have social benefits too -- Pag Ibig

Wednesday 19th of January 2011

ZAMBOANGA CITY Jan. 19 (PIA) – “Household helpers get the least security and benefits among the country’s labor force,” said Corazon Mamauag, members service officer of PAG-IBIG –Zamboanga and It’s time that that they should also enjoy their social benefits.

The Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF) or Pagtutulungan sa Kinabukasan: Ikaw, Bangko, Industria at Gobyerno (PAG-IBIG) here is active on its campaign over employers to enroll or register their household helpers as PAG-IBIG members.

Mamauag said the fund is drumming up promoting of its “Campania para queda miembro (campaign to become member)” program. “This is a program that aims to assist our household helpers to become active members of the PAG-IBIG Fund” Mamauag held.

She said this social benefit is embodied in Republic Act 9679 which specify the inclusion of household helpers such as driver, gardener, cook, governess and any person who renders domestic services exclusively to a household and is earning at least P1,000 shall be covered by the law, therefore membership to the fund is mandatory.

Mamauag explained “For household helpers earning P1,500 and below, they will only contribute P15 to Pag- IBIG and their employers will shoulder P30.00 only, which represents 2 percent of the household helpers’ monthly compensation. Total monthly contribution will be P45 only she said.

“For helpers earning over P1,500, say P2,000, they will have to contribute P40.00 only and employers will shoulder P40.00 too. A total of P80.00 monthly contribution” she added.

Mamaug emphasized that by registering your household helpers to the Fund, you are creating an opportunity for them to enjoy the benefit of “savings with an annual tax-free dividends which is withdrawable upon occurrence of any of the grounds for withdrawal.” Not only that, “you are also giving them opportunity for a financial loan assistance thru availing of the Fund‘s Loan Programs” she stressed.

“The benefit does not stop there, if they will be enrolled as members, their legal heirs can claim death aid benefit in case of death of a member.” Mamauag explained.

”Ito’y isang napalaking tulong para sa mga household members sa maliit na halaga” (this is one big help for household keepers for a small amount) she said, as she called on employers of household members to become partners in promoting their welfare by registering them in the Pag-IBIG Fund. # (JP Alvarez –PIA 9)