PAGADIAN CITY, JULY 25 (PIA) - Personnel of the Social Security System (SSS) visited at least seven (7) delinquent employers in Pagadian City and were served with a show cause order to remind them to settle their legal obligations.

In the recent Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign of the SSS, Atty. Cyrene C. Tinae, the Department Manager III Mindanao West Legal Department led the team with the local media and made surprise visits to the delinquent employers.

Tinae explained that the delinquent employers have been sent billing letters from their agency but they did not comply after the period that was given to them had expired.

"The RACE campaign that we conducted region-wide is to emphasize the importance of employers to pay the social security contributions of their workers. What we are doing is an awareness so that the public can see that the SSS is working to fulfill the obligation of employers to pay contributions to their workers," Tinae further explained.

Tinae added that the businessman has earned income in his business because of the hard work of their workers, therefore it is a legal obligation for the employers to give the rights and benefits to workers that they deserve.

"If workers are not covered by SSS contributions, their benefits will be affected. If their benefits are affected, the employers' business is also affected, Tinae further explained.

The official said that their approach is not to harass the delinquent employers but to remind them to comply with their obligation and if they cannot comply within 15 days, certain consequences will follow.

"We do not intend to harass them, in fact we consider them as our partners. We also do not intend to close their business because it is not on the agenda of the SSS. Once their business is closed, many will be affected," Tinae concluded. (RVC/EDT/GCC/PIA Zamboanga del Sur)