Finland has one of the highest trade union membership rates in the world — over 60% of workers belong to a union. For immigrants, unions offer real practical benefits: legal protection, unemployment insurance, and workplace representation. Here is everything you need to know.
Why Trade Unions Matter in Finland
Finnish unions negotiate collective agreements (tyoehtosopimus / TES) that set minimum wages, working hours, overtime rules, and holiday entitlements for entire industries. Even if you are not a union member, your employer is likely bound by these agreements. But members get additional benefits including income-related unemployment insurance (ansiosidonnainen paivara ha).
The Key Benefit: Unemployment Insurance
Non-members who become unemployed receive only Kela basic unemployment allowance — a flat 37 euros per day. Union members who have been members for at least 26 weeks receive income-related unemployment benefit — up to 60-70% of their previous salary. This is a huge difference.
Which Union Should You Join?
- PAM (Service sector) — Cleaning, restaurant, hotel, retail. Most immigrants in service work join PAM.
- Rakennusliitto — Construction and building trades.
- Teollisuusliitto — Industrial and manufacturing workers.
- TEK / Insinoorialiitto — Engineers and technology professionals.
- OAJ — Teachers and educators.
How to Join
Go to the union website for your sector, fill in the online application, and set up a monthly membership fee (typically 1-2% of your salary). Membership is voluntary but strongly recommended if you plan to work in Finland long-term.
Even if you plan to work in Finland for only 1-2 years, union membership protects you from unfair dismissal and ensures you receive the correct wages under the collective agreement for your sector.
