Joining an unemployment fund is like taking out an insurance against unemployment. By joining an unemployment fund you can get bigger unemployment benefits than what Kela pays.
Conditions for membership
Terveydenhuoltoalan työttömyyskassa (the unemployment fund of social and healthcare workers) does a lot of co-operation with trade union Tehy ry, but is a fully independent entity. You can be a member of Terveydenhuoltoalan työttömyyskassa even if you are not a member of Tehy ry or any other trade union.
You can join Terveydenhuoltoalan työttömyyskassa, if
- you have completed a vocational qualification in the social, health care, education, or rehabilitation sector, or if you are studying for a vocational qualification in these fields
- you are an employee
- you are under the age of 68 years
You must apply in writing for membership in the fund. The membership can begin from the day your membership application arrives to the fund, provided that you are in paid employment that day.