By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

SSS representative Michael Ingal told Gulf Times that more than 800 OFWs have visited and called his office last month to inquire about contributions and how to continue their loan payments.

“We have been receiving a lot of calls after it was published in the newspaper and we expect that more Filipinos will be visiting our office to continue paying their monthly contributions and loans,” he said.

SSS members, including OFWs, are entitled to various benefits like maternity (for women), disability, sickness, retirement,
funeral and death.

Those who have contributed a minimum of 120 months will be entitled to a lifetime monthly retirement pension. The amount will depend on their credited years of service and average monthly salary.

However, Ingal has urged members to continue their monthly contribution even if they have completed the required minimum number of months to qualify for the lifetime pension.

He said those who continuously pay their monthly contributions are entitled of all benefits while those who already stopped will not be given sickness and
maternity benefits.

“If you have a total of 200 months for example, of course you (or your wife and children) will be receiving more,” Ingal said.

Members can also apply housing and salary loans even if they are here in
Qatar.

But Ingal has advised OFWs to use these privileges when they are in dire need or during emergency cases.

Under the OFW coverage programme, members can choose the monthly contribution that they want based on their range of compensation. The lowest is at P520 (about QR50) and the highest is P1,560 (about QR150).

SSS has also introduced a new programme called “flexi-fund” for those who want to save more on top of the maximum monthly contribution of P1,560.

“Members can pay or save more than P1,560 monthly and it earns 3.3% every quarter,” Ingal said. It is exclusive to OFW members.

These savings can be withdrawn either in full or partial, or in lump sum in case of urgent financial needs.

Asked about its advantages, he stressed that money are more secured under SSS and it earns more than the usual savings in the bank.

Flexi-fund gives OFWs the chance to set aside their earnings abroad and maximise the return on their contributions, “thus providing good security for the future.”

These contributions are invested in government securities, ensuring a transparent, high-yielding and risk-free investment of members.

Citing the importance of SSS, Ingal has urged OFWs in Qatar to start updating their accounts. This, he said, would be of big help in the future especially when they decide to return to their homeland.

To check and monitor monthly contributions, members can register online on the SSS website.

Ingal, including Pag-Ibig (Home Development Mutual Fund) officials, also conduct outreach programmes in a bid to reach more OFWs.

It is also planning to operate during Fridays, a usual day-off for expatriate workers, so it can accommodate those who are working from Sunday through Thursday.

Many business establishments and exchange houses in Qatar are now receiving SSS payments.

The SSS office is located at the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) in Al Abraj Street, Bin Omran. It is open from Sunday through Thursday, from 8:30am
to 4:30pm.

Ingal said that those who are interested to register, he can be reached at: 4487-8599, 6614-3076 and at sssdohaqatar129@gmail.com

It is learnt that the POLO, Pag-Ibig and SSS offices will soon be transferred to a building near the Philippine embassy to make it a “one-stop-shop” for OFWs.