July is a contribution month.  The Social Security Fund (FSS) reminds employers that they must fulfill their social security obligations on time, which include completing the relevant procedures within the contribution months, such as employer registration, enrollment of employees who have never been enrolled in the Social Security System as beneficiaries and payment of obligatory system contributions for employees, otherwise, the employers concerned could be liable to a financial penalty. 

The contribution months of the FSS are January, April, July and October.  Under the law, all employers who establish labour relations with others must come to the FSS offices to complete the procedure of employer registration in the contribution month that immediately follows the commencement of such relations (applicable to employer who establishes the first labour relations with employees), in order to fulfill their obligation to make contributions.  Violators are liable to a financial penalty of 200 to 1,000 patacas for each employee affected by their infractions. 

If the new hire has never been enrolled in the Social Security System as beneficiary before, the employer must enroll him/her during the contribution month that immediately follows the commencement of their labour relations.  Even though there is no need for the employer to make contributions for the long-term employee who works less than 15 days in the employment commencement month, the employer is still required to report this new hire to the FSS and enroll him/her in the Social Security System as beneficiary.  The employer who is being late to enroll the employees is liable to a financial penalty of 200 to 1,000 patacas for each employee affected by his/her infractions. 

Besides, all employers are required to make contributions of the long-term employees of the preceding quarter within the contribution months, and pay contributions for the casual workers in the month that follows their work month (for casual workers who work less than 15 days in that month, the amount of contributions is halved).  For late payment of contributions, the default contributions must be rectified within 60 days after the statutory payment period, with late payment interest of 3% per month on the amount of overdue contributions.  Where a fraction of a month shall be counted as a full month and the minimum charge is 50 patacas.  However, if the default contribution is not rectified after 60 days, a minimum financial penalty of 500 patacas up to half of the overdue contributions will be charged on top of the late payment interest. 

For more information about the Social Security System, members of the public may call 2853 2850, or visit the FSS website at www.fss.gov.mo/en/social/social-guide.