Work Unions in Finland – Register Today for a Safer Future
Are you a member of a workers’ union? Joining a union in Finland offers many benefits—legal support, job security, and even help with finding new work. The membership fee is small, tax-deductible, and often reimbursed at the end of the year. If you lose your job due to illness, layoff, or crisis (like COVID-19), the union can cover up to 80% of your salary.
Whether you're a student starting your first job, a teacher, nurse, cleaner, or IT specialist – joining a work union in Finland is one of the smartest decisions you can make. Unions offer legal support, unemployment protection, salary negotiations, and a voice for your rights at the workplace. You will be paid unemployment fund for over 18months, if you loose job. Students are not entitled the same services, however if you take the full membership you get the same benefits..
Why Join a Work Union in Finland?
- Protects your rights at work
- Supports you during unemployment
- Provides legal advice and training
- Negotiates salaries and work conditions
- Gives peace of mind during your work life
Popular Finnish Unions You Should Know:
PAM – Service Union United
Website: pam.fi
For workers in the service sector like cleaners, waiters, bartenders, hotel staff, and shop workers. For students its free but are not entitled for unemployement fund. For workers they charge 1.5% of your salary every time you get the salary, which is tax deductible at the end of the year
YTK – General Unemployment Fund
Website: ytk.fi
YTK is one of the most popular unemployment funds in Finland and is open to everyone regardless of profession. They take annual memberhsip. You pay a one time fe €102(unemployment fund) or €130 for combined memberhsip which includes legal aids and other services too
OAJ – Trade Union of Education in Finland
Website: oaj.fi
This union is for all educators, teachers, and education professionals.
TEHY – Union for Health and Social Care Professionals
Website: tehy.fi
Ideal for nurses, midwives, paramedics, and healthcare professionals.
SUPer – Finnish Union of Practical Nurses
Website: superliitto.fi
Supports practical nurses (lähihoitaja) and social service staff.
AKAVA – Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff
Website: akava.fi
For higher education professionals, engineers, economists, and managers.
SAK – Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions
Website: sak.fi
Main umbrella for industrial, transport, and service sector workers.
JHL – The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors
Website: jhl.fi
Great for municipal workers, public sector, daycare workers, school assistants, and more.
TEK – TEK is your professional community of academic engineers and architects in Finland.
Website: jhl.fi
Great for engineers.
How to Register?
Visit the union’s website and fill out the online application. Some unions offer combined membership with unemployment funds, which gives you full benefits if you lose your job.
Pro Tip:
Register within the first few months of work to get full coverage. Some unions even offer student discounts or reduced fees for part-time workers!
Conclusion
Joining a union is not just for tough times — it’s a proactive step for better work life and security. If you live and work in Finland, take a moment today to choose your union and register online.
Secure your future, protect your rights – and grow with confidence in Finland!