Does anyone know of a local person who specializes (paid) in helping people (especially foreigners like me) through the Social Security System. I need to get registered as an employer for 2 household (property) workers who I plan to keep full-time. I dread going into that SSS building although I have not been there before. I foresee a nightmare of crowds inside with few, if any, SSS employees even able to help me due to limited English comprehension. I am not seeking a fixer; maybe someone who has retired from being employed by the SSS and has reasonable English skills. Having been on the forums for a while now, and having been guilty of it myself, I am requesting staying on topic and avoid the snark (and useless) comments. If you think your comment would be a genuine help, I appreciate hearing it. If not, then not so much. Salamat!
I was under the impression that you can now do all that online; https://www.google.com/search?q=reg...ome..69i57.21471j1j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Thanks for that tip and info. I was on that website and, like too many websites, it poses its own “challenges.” Doing it all online is a good option, but I would still like to hire an experienced coach to help even with that.
Or you could go the brute force method and pay someone with decent English skills to just figure it out. I'm betting you would get to the same objective faster that way. From people I have known who have started businesses here, it's just navigating a maze. Frustrating, but doable. People generally tell you where you need to go. You might have to retrace some steps. Eventually you get there. Maybe you could get some college kid to do it. Maybe post on one of the "Bid for me" groups.
Do not get dismayed when reading this. There is an easier solution at the end. Domestic workers are covered by the Batas Kasambahay (Republic Act No. 10361) Here is a link to Q&A for the Act. The Q&A format is much more readable than the Act itself. https://www.bwsc.dole.gov.ph/images/info-materials/QandA-on-Batas-Kasambahay-RA-No-10361-english.pdf As I understand there are three required employee contributions. (SS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG membership.) This website lists the amount of employer contributions for each of the three. https://kcrecruitment.com/hr-consulting/labor-and-employment/employee-benefit-contributions/ The links above do not reference income tax. I do not know the bottom threshold that requires withholding and paying income tax. I assume that domestic workers are below this threshold and you do not have to deal with income tax and the BIR. Have you considered hiring through a Private Employment Agency (PEA)? You will see references to the PEA in the Batas Kasambahay Q&A listed above. A PEA is like an employment agency in the US. They are also known as temp agencies. The employee actually works for them and they take care of all the government requirements. You pay the agency a contracted fee. In the Philippines the PEA has joint and solidary liability with the employer for payment of wages, wage-related and other benefits, including monthly contribution for SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG membership. This way either you or the PEA can make the payments. If the PEA is making payments on your behalf, make sure you get bonafide receipts. This agency might be a PEA. I do not know them. https://www.facebook.com/Help4UEmploymentServices/ I hope this helps. Please keep us updated as you learn your way through this.