The Philippines, with the Social Security System taking the lead in its pursuit, now has bilateral Social Security Agreements with Germany and Japan effective June 1 and August 1 of this year, respectively, ensuring the protection of social security rights for over 230,000 Filipinos abroad.
SSS president and chief executive officer Emmanuel Dooc said the bilateral SSAs, aimed at reducing or eliminating nationality- and territory-based restrictions on social security would benefit an estimated 47,214 Filipinos in Germany and 182,917 Filipinos in Japan, who are working or residing permanently in the two countries.
SSAs promote the welfare of all persons covered under the social security programs of either or both countries for retirement, disability and death contingencies.
Its guiding principles are embodied in the 1962 ILO Social Security Convention No. 118 on the Equality of Treatment and the 1982 ILO Social Security Convention No. 157 on the Maintenance of Social Security Rights.