Situation regarding Swiss social insurance coverage of private servants of Philippine nationality employed by members of the permanent missions and of private servants, regardless of nationality, employed by members of the Permanent Missions of the Philippines
The present notice is directed solely at:
- private servants of Philippine nationality, holder of a legitimation card "F", employed by a member of a permanent mission of some States (see the list below);
- private servants, regardless of nationality, holder of a legitimation card "F", employed by a member of a Permanent Mission of the Philippines.
This information note gives additional information regarding Swiss social insurance coverage under the Social security agreement between Switzerland and the Philippines (fr). The other disposals of the Private Household Employees Ordinance of 6 June 2011 (hereafter "PHEO") remain unchanged.
The situation regarding Swiss social insurance coverage of the private servants of international civil servants remains unchanged and the employers and the private servants must refer to the PHEO.
Swiss social insurance scheme
The term “Swiss social insurance scheme” is understood to mean the following:
- Old age and survivors’ insurance (AVS),
- Invalidity insurance (AI),
- Compensation fund for loss of income because of service or maternity leave (APG),
- Unemployment insurance (AC),
- Family allowances (AFam).
These insurances make up an indivisible whole.
Paternity allowance:
As of 1 January 2021, paternity leave came into effect at the federal level. The paternity allowance, which is paid to the father in the form of daily benefit, is financed by contributions to cover loss of income (APG). Working fathers who are insured with the Swiss social insurance system and who meet the specified conditions are entitled, upon request, to receive a paternity allowance for 2 weeks from the date of birth of their child.
More information is available on the website of the “Office cantonal genevois des assurances sociales” (OCAS (fr)).
The Canton of Geneva also has maternity insurance (AMat) under which persons covered by the Swiss social insurance scheme AVS are obligatorily insured.
More information on the subject:
- Federal Social Insurance Office Website (OFAS)
- Compensation Fund Office of the Canton of Geneva (CCGC)
1 - Private servant of Philippine nationality employed by a member of a permanent mission of a State mentioned below
This private servant employed by a member of a permanent mission of one of the following states:
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Liechtenstein
- Macedonia
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
is subject to mandatory coverage by the Swiss social insurance scheme AVS unless he/she has exercised a right to be covered by the social legislation of the State of the employer. This right must be exercised within three months from the commencement of employment. The private servant can no longer be registered in another state as envisaged in the PHEO.
The employer must take the necessary steps to register the private servant for the Swiss social insurance scheme AVS at the Cantonal Compensation Fund Office or by the social security system of the employer’s State.
In the event of registration with the social security system of the employer’s State, the private servant, assisted by his employer, must make a written request for exemption and present an original insurance certificate to the Cantonal Compensation Fund Office.
2 - Private servant, regardless of his/her nationality, employed by a member of a Permanent Mission of the Philippines
This private servant, regardless of his/her nationality, who is employed by a member of a Permanent Mission of the Philippines is subject to mandatory coverage by the Swiss social insurance scheme AVS, unless he/she exercises a right to be insured under Philippines social legislation. The right must be exercised within six months of the commencement of employment. The private servant can no longer be registered in another State as envisaged in the PHEO.
The employer must take the necessary steps to have the private servant registered with the Swiss social insurance scheme AVS at the Cantonal Compensation Fund Office or with the social security system of the Philippines.
In the event of coverage by the Philippines social security system, the private servant, assisted by his employeur, must make a written request for exemption and present an original insurance certificate to the Cantonal Compensation Fund Office.
3 - Private servant, of Philippines nationality, employed by a member of a permanent mission of another State
The private servant, of Philippines nationality, employed by a permanent mission of another State than the ones mentioned above (1 and 2) is subject to mandatory coverage by the Swiss social insurance scheme AVS, unless he/she is insured in another State (e.g. by the social security of the State of the employer or by Philippine social security).
The employer must take the necessary steps to have the private servant registered with the Swiss social insurance scheme AVS at the Cantonal Compensation Fund Office or with the social security system of another State.
In the event of coverage by the social security system of another State, the private servant, assisted by his employer, must make a written request for exemption and present an original insurance certificate to the Cantonal Compensation Fund Office. The Cantonal Compensation Fund Office has juridiction to accept or to refuse an exemption.
Professional provident fund (LPP)
The private servants who are insured with the Swiss social insurance scheme AVS is subject to the professional provident fund (LPP) provided he/she receives a gross salary of CHF 22,050.- per year or CHF 1,837.50 per month. The Cantonal Compensation Office decides whether a private servant should be affiliated in a LPP fund.
Other insurances (accidents and health insurances)
The employer and the private servant must refer to the PHEO regarding the accidents and health insurances.
