SEOUL, 22 May 2022 - In celebration of Labor Day and upholding the importance of labor rights, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul conducted its third Know Your Rights and Responsibilities (KYRR) Seminar this year with the theme "Labor Rights: Social Security Matters" on 21 May 2022. Attended by eighty (80) members of the Filipino community, including FilCom leaders, the seminar featured a labor rights-themed discussion on social protection and the importance of social security in times of contingencies.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega emphasized the importance of social security as a basic safety net of all workers. She highlighted the importance of the seminar as part of the Embassy's flagship Program on Reintegration Preparedness for Filipinos in Korea, "This is important for our Overseas Filipino workers who work not only for themselves but also for their families. Let us think of it as an additional protection in the face of crisis and job uncertainty, especially when it comes to accidents. It is also important for us to prepare for retirement, as all workers will eventually have to do so."

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega likewise emphasized that Filipino workers in Korea are entitled to pension benefits just like Korean workers and underscored that it is important for Filipino migrant workers to understand and maximize the benefits they are entitled to. She also encouraged the participants, especially the EPS workers, to take advantage of the seminar by asking questions and learning more about social security contributions and benefits.

Labor Attaché Maya Valderrama also presented social security rights from a policy perspective, emphasizing that social security is a human right and the Philippines' commitment to respect, protect, and fulfill social security protection.

Social Security Service (SSS) Representative, Mr. Lester Paul Mata, gave an overview of its program, SSS coverage to OFWs, computation of OFW contributions, layers of Social Security Protection for OFWs, and the online services and information channels of SSS. Based in Hong Kong, Mr. Mata serves as the SSS representative covering the Republic of Korea.

Korea National Pension Service (NPS) Philippine Manager Ms. Son Young-jin discussed the benefits and coverage of NPS for Foreign Workers, NPS claims, and provided pertinent information on how Filipino workers in Korea can avail of their NPS benefits.

A very interactive and informative open forum followed the presentations with the Embassy noting that the interest of Filipinos in Korea in saving for contingencies and maximizing their pension benefits was evident in their queries and concerns.

At the end of the session, Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. thanked the resource speakers for taking their time to share their expertise with the community and encouraged the Filipino Community to continue their membership contribution to SSS and to make use of their NPS benefits, as well as share what they have learned during the session to other members of the Filipino community who were not able to join.

For further information on SSS, Mr. Lester Paul Mata may be contacted through korea@sss.gov.ph. Philippine Manager for NPS Ms. Son Young-jin may be reached through the NPS Ansan Center for Foreigners in Gyeonggi-do and the phone number 031-365-3082~4. The next KYRR Seminar is tentatively scheduled for third quarter of 2022. END