Katulong Blues - a warning

By its very term, a katulong (or helper) is one that is supposed to make life and work easier.
Keep that in mind as you read this particular post.

Beware of a day help with initials NB.  She is a big woman, rather clumsy,
She also has a tendency to disparage others - including her superiors to make herself look better
She used to help out but because she is lazy, she almost killed me.
Using police parlance, it would be Homicide.

What happened, you wonder?  Once upon a time, i was at work and she went to work.  The lady who irons for me supervised her.  Otherwise she (NB) would not have been in the house.

Well, she mopped the floor and because there was a spot that was difficult to clean, she concocted a chemical stew that was composed of water, lysol, zonrox,  and another strong cleansing agent.  Must have been vitriolic.  At any rate, she didnt completely rinse the floor and to make a long story short, i slipped.

i am disabled so i am careful about walking. if she had rinsed the floor completely, i wouldnt have slipped.

i confronted her the next time she went to the house.... and this is what she said.

ay sorry po.  nakalimutan kong banlawan ng husto.

can you imagine that?

actually, she was just too lazy to fully rinse the floor 

i am also particular about not mixing usage of things
rags used for tabletops are NOT used for the floors, and vice-versa
i have told her these a gazillion times - and she keeps saying she forgot
i have since concluded that she is merely lazy

i had told myself not to allow her to help anymore but she has a daughter who has a serious illness
and i sympathized with her plight - and after that she only mopped the floors with water
BUT
she told me i was the only one who would reprimand her everytime.
and that she was only helping because she hadnt found anyone else to go to....
so i told her to depart and never darken my doorstep

so, if she is now working for you, watch out - she just may kill your loved ones

EC on the Kasambahay

The Law itself makes no mention of EC payments; the Q&A of the Bill, issued by DOLE mentions ECC only in passing.  In theory, Kasambahays should be covered by EC because they have employers.  

However, wearing the hat of the EC leads one to question .... when is the Kasambahay not covered by the EC?  It seems that the Kasambahay is always covered by the EC.... and seems rather unfair to regular employees.  Regular employees are covered only while doing their official duties, whether in the office or not, or during the trip to/fro.  How does that translate to the Kasambahay?

Click here to read the Kasambahay Bill as signed into law

Last Saturday for Kasambahay Registration - 29 June

2 things.

First of all, 29 June is NOT the last day for Householder/Kasambahay registration.  There is NO LAST day.  However, this Saturday 29 June is the LAST SATURDAY THAT SSS offices are opened specifically for Kasambahay registration.

secondly, see discussion below ----

i heard someone complaining that the SSS instructions in the SSS website did not match the actual procedures in the branches.  so i took a  gander at reading the SSS procedures in a  copy that someone gave me and checked the procedures done at the SSS branches.

well ...... i guess the confusion has to do with the form called Employer Registration, also referred to as the R-1.  I am having difficulty attaching the picture of the form.  However, let me just say that the instructions that form part of the form specify supporting documents.

Therefore, the people in the Operations - that is, the branch people are safeguarding you - the householder - by asking you for identification. 

Why do i say safeguarding you .... if you are required to supply identification (and authorization, just in case you send someone to do things for you), NO ONE can pretend to be you, and thus NO ONE can maliciously report erroneous items for you that may create hassles for you.

so, i suggest you bring 2 IDs as proof of your identity.
 as you can discern from the picture below, the instructions say there are no additional documents required.

i say, be safe, and provide IDs and authorization letter as necessary.

dont forget to register as an employer for your kasambahay

Two Saturdays left for the SSS Kasambahay-Householder Registration

This is just to remind those who read my blog for my inputs on various stuff  that there 2 Saturdays left for the registration (and payment if you so desire) for kasambahays and householders.

Tomorrow, June 22 and on Saturday, 29 June.

take advantage of the relatively shorter lines since only kasambahay transactions will be entertained by SSS

SSS Offices Nationwide OPEN 8-5 for June Saturdays - 8, 15, 22, 29

The SSS  has announced that all branches Nationwide will be open to address these Kasambahay transactions, that is:

1. For Kasambahays to get SSS Numbers
Kasambahays must show legal proof of their identity so that SSS Numbers will be permanent.
If No legal proof is presented, a temporary SSS Number will be issued, but cannot be used for claiming and benefits

2. For Household Employers to get the Household Employer SSS Number.
This is different from the personal SSS Number of the Householder.
Householders who have been paying the SSS contributions of their kasambahay using their personal SSS Number will be issued a Household Employer SSS Number.  Only householders who are in the branch may get it immediately.  Otherwise, this will be sent via email or mail.

3.  To pay the SSS contributions of the Kasambahay.

No other transactions will be handled.
So please, DO NOT GO TO THE SSS OFFICES to file any claim or for ACOP purposes during these days.

Please click on the Kasambahay on the left side to see the procedures and the forms, and the body of proof (if i may make a pun after the show) regarding identity.





I WAS ABLE TO GET THE SSS KASAMBAHAY AD:
HERE IT IS:

Kasambahay Bill takes effect 3 June

so.  you must pay for the SSS contributions of your kasambahay.
BUT, did you know that you are required by SSS to pay for your kasambahay as early as 1993?
1 September 1993 to be exact

This was under the administration of   Renato Valencia , Circular 21-V and was backed up by RA7655.
i will be updating this with a link to a copy of  RA7655

So if you had a kasambahay then who is still your kasambahay now, then you are liable to pay for SSS since then.

anyway.

at present -
household employers must get their household employer SSS number.  the old system of using the household employer's personal SSS number is no longer correct.  however this is easy enough to do as the nearest SSS branch will give the householder their household employer SSS number by simply submitting SSS Form R-1, which is the Employer Registration Number.  technically, the householder should get a Registration Certificate as proof that he is paying for his or her kasambahay(s)


the kasambahay MUST have an SSS number. If he or she does not have a number then, then he must apply by accomplishing SSS Form E-1, which is the Personal Record Form, supported by a copy of 1 primary or 2 secondary documents to prove identity.  The original must be presented likewise.

Otherwise, the kasambahay cannot avail of benefits since his or her membership is only temporary until legal proof of identity is presented.  the burden of proof is ON the kasambahay, NOT the household employer.

however, the household employer can use the temporary number to report and pay for contributions.

Reporting and Paying for your kasambahay is easy - you as household employer need to use the SSS Form R1-A, called Employment Report Form.  You also need to submit an accomplished SSS Form L-501, or Specimen Signature Card.

The date of coverage should be the same as the start of service of your kasambahay.  If for some reason,  the date of coverage is after the start of service then you would have to also submit a Statement of the Monthly Salaries of your kasambahay(s).  This will be evaluated and you will be billed, with penalties at 3% per month..

payment....

SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT

If 10th digit of the 13-digit ER Number Ends in:	Payment Deadline (Following the applicable month)
1 or 2	10th day of the month
3 or 4	15th day of the month
5 or 6	20th day of the month
7 or 8	25th day of the month
9 or 0	Last day of the month

take note when your SSS Employer number is supposed to pay -

Use the Contributions Payment Return Form (SSS Form R-5) to pay monthly.

Remember, payment is monthly, reporting can be quarterly through 

Contributions Collection List (SSS Form R-3), together with a copy of the 

 SSS Form R-5 (machine-validated or with Special Bank Receipt).

 


Click here for the downable form page of the SS website

Kasambahay

looking for a kasambahay?

i was. but thinking of all the paperwork i had to do, i had to rethink having one.
instead, i'm just looking for company.  maybe i'll have that when my friend Y or my friend Tam visits.

too much paperwork. imagine, you'd have to do the paperwork for sss, philhealth, and pag-ibig ... for someone who might stay just a month. and wont or cant even do the job properly. or worst, might rob you blind. and someone who gives less than satisfaction.

too much work having a kasambahay.  not to mention the cost. not just in terms of $, but something more costly - time and effort.

so no. not anymore.  we will see though.

Inquirer News: Still on Kasambahay SSS contribution payments

Paying the Househelper SSS Contributions

Have you read the Inquirer News dated 2 February 2013?

if you are paying your Kasambahay less than 5,000 pesos monthly, you must fully pay the SSS contributions.
hmmmm.  the existing law is 7.07% is shouldered by the employer and 3.33% is shouldered by the employee. well, not for household helpers earning below 5,000.

just thought i'd pass the info to you.

Kasambahay bill has been signed into law.

read it and think about its ramifications

Click here --- to view the Kasambahay bill

a friend said that housing can be deducted.  No. not at all.
and medical ..... i wonder really what that entails.....

also, one must pay the SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-ibig contributions that every employer pays.
ooops. not exactly every employer, since SSS runs after non-paying employers, remember......

i was reading the PDI today.  as i am subscribed to the digital edition ...  i cannot link the page i was reading. The columnist, whose name escapes me at the moment, said that while he lauds the bill as a good start,  he was also saying that many people will no longer be having househelp.  they can no longer afford it.  So, what happens ...... to people who need work..... will they be able to find takers?

Paying the SSS contribution for Household Help

If you have household help, you must pay the SSS contribution, employer share of your household help.  You are employers and they - your household help - are your employees.  Like any employer, you are liable for these payments.  That is, SSS can sue you, and can throw you in jail (but SSS is kind and if you pay, no jail time at all).

These are the SSS definitions -

Household Helper/ Househelper/ Kasambahay

Any person who renders domestic or household services exclusively to a Household Employer, who receives compensation for such services.

Example :  Family Driver, Babysitter, Gardener, Cook, Nursemaid or Yaya, Laundrywoman, ....

Household Employer

Any person who engages the services of a Household Helper, etc. and who actually pays compensation for such services.

Domestic or Household Services

Service rendered by the Household Helper, etc. in the Employer's home or other areas that the Household Employer may designate, which is usually necessary for the maintenance of the Employer's household, including ministering to the personal comfort and convenience of the household

Household

The immediate members of the family of the Household Employer including all occupants of the house that are directly provided services by the Household Helper, etc.

If you have been paying the SSS contributions using your SSS number, this is no longer correct.  All Household Employers must be issued Employer Numbers (ER#).  If you have not been issued this ER#, please ask the MAC staff to assist you.  Or you may click to email member relations or post a comment on your issues.  Remember to also ask that previous contributions be moved to your new ER number.  This is supposed to be automatic but it doesnt hurt to remind SSS.

If you are a new employer  you need to fill up these forms:  

ER Registration Form (click for the requirements to process this form)

Employment Report

and the L-501 Card

UPDATE: DONT FORGET THE KASAMBAHAY BILL HAS BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW.
CLICK TAGS TO THE LEFT TO READ RELATED POSTS.  YOU CAN CLICK KASAMBAY FOR ADDITIONAL INFO OR HOUSEHOLD ER OR ANY OF THE LABELS/TAGS

Form links as follows

Employer Registration Form  (SSS Form R-1)

Click for the online editable Employer registration (R1) form
Click for the normal ER registration form - for manual input
Click here for the Document Requirements for ER registration form

Employment Report Form (SSS Form R1-A)

Click here for the online editable Employment Report
Click here for the normal printed R1-A

Signature Card, L-501  is also required. 

Click here for the online editable L-501
Click here for the normal print copy of the L-501

I am currently having difficulty with including the actual form copies ... if they dont appear, it means that i cannot update the blog post with pictures of the form.  just click to see the form.