Ammattiliitot

"Many hands make light work."
(English saying)

The majority of Finns are members of a trade union. The main purpose of a trade union is to safeguard the benefits and rights of its members. This involves for instance income development (salaries and transfer of income), employment security guarantees as well as promotion of quality in working life.

The majority of Finns are members of a trade union. The main purpose of a trade union is to safeguard the benefits and rights of its members. This involves for instance income development (salaries and transfer of income), employment security guarantees as well as promotion of quality in working life.

When joining a trade union you can also join the trade union’s unemployment fund. It is also possible to join the unemployment fund without becoming a member of the union. Joining the unemployment fund is advisable, as if you become unemployed, the unemployment fund will pay you earnings-related daily unemployment allowance, which is higher than the statutory basic unemployment allowance.  You will become entitled to earnings-related daily unemployment allowance once you have been a member of your trade union for 10 months during employment.

Trade union members pay a membership fee to the union. Different professions have their own trade unions, which are part of large central organisations of trade unions. More information on the operations of trade unions and how to join them is available on trade union websites. 

You will become entitled to earnings-related daily unemployment allowance once you have been a member of your trade union for 10 months during employment. Trade union members pay a membership fee to the union. Different professions have their own trade unions, which are part of large central organisations of trade unions. More information on the operations of trade unions and how to join them is available on trade union websites. 

Central Organisations for Trade Unions:

SAK (Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions)
Information on SAK in the following languages:
English
Finnish
Swedish
German
French
Spanish
Estonian
Russian
Polish
AKAVA (The Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland)
STTK (The Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees)

Trade Unions for Certain Professions:

PAM (Service Union United)
AKT (Finnish Transport Worker’s Union)
JHL (Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors)
OAJ (Trade Union of Education in Finland)
Metalliliitto (Metalworkers’ Union)

Get more information on trade unions of different professions from your employer or an Employment Agency or phone one of the trade unions directly.

SAK, STTK and AKAVA have co-produced a Guide for Foreigners Working in Finland (pdf-format). The guide has been translated to the following languages:

English
Estonian
Russian