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

The unemployment fund of social and healthcare workers (Sotekassa) does a lot of co-operation with trade union Tehy ry, but is a fully independent entity. You can be a member of Sotekassa even if you are not a member of Tehy ry or any other trade union.

You can join Sotekassa, 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 (in any field)
• you are under the age of 68 years

Membership in Sotekassa thefefore requires vocational traning or studies in the fields mentiond above. Becoming a member also requires that you are in paid employment on the day you join, but your field of work is not restricted. You can be a member of our fund regardless of the field you work in. 

You must apply in writing for membership in the fund. The membership begins at the earliest on the day your membership application arrives to the fund, provided that you are in paid employment that day.

Read more about joining the unemployment fund.
Read more about the membership fees.