The SSS-GSIS Pensyonado Partylist will actively campaign for the inclusion of freelancers and those in the creative industry to have social protection under the Social Security System (SSS).
“The SSS-GSIS Pensyonado Partylist believes that freelancers, creatives, and those engaged in the so-called gig economy should have social security protection. Kapag dumating ang panahon na retired na sila, mayroon silang aasahan na pensyon para sa mga pangangailangan nila.” SSS-GSIS Pensyonado (SGP) Partylist spokesperson Val Yutan said on Thursday (August 22).
According to the Creative Economy Council of the Philippines (CECP) some 2 to 3 million creative freelancers working locally, while 1.5 million individuals engaged in creatives handle international projects.
PayPal, a payment system company, noted that the Philippines has one of the highest freelancers of the 22 countries surveyed, at an estimated 1.5 million freelancers or persons engaged in the gig economy.
The creatives industries include advertising, animation, architecture, broadcast arts, crafts, culinary arts, cultural/heritage activities, design, film, literature, music, new media, performing arts, publishing, and visual arts.
“The estimated 2-3 million Filipino freelancers and creatives are just too big of a number to be ignored. We stand by our credo: “Kahit sino, kahit anong trabaho – pensyonado!” the SSS-GSIS Pensyonado (SGP) spokesperson pointed out.
SGP spokesperson said the term ‘creatives industries’ describes businesses with creativity at their heart, such as design, music, publishing, architecture, film and video, crafts, visual arts, fashion, TV and radio, advertising, literature, computer games and the performing arts.
“We are calling on all freelancers, content creators, barista, social media influencers, graphics and website designers, video editors, copy editors and vloggers to become SSS members so that their minimum monthly contribution of Php570 can enable them to become future pensioners,” SGP’s Yutan said.
The SGP spokesperson said he is also calling on all other “individual private contractors” — motorcycle taxi riders, delivery riders, affiliate marketers, online sellers, and podcasters — to immediately go to the nearest SSS office where they can apply as members and contributors.
