A-kassa survey: Unemployed have lost hundreds of euros – incentives have opposite effect
Conducted in August 2025, Open Unemployment Fund A-kassa’s member survey is exceptionally loud and clear with its results: government cuts to unemployment security have significantly undermined the financial security of unemployed members. As an incentive for finding employment, they are widely considered a failure. With the legislative amendments, the government aimed to make finding employment […]
Changes to unemployment security for older jobseekers
When comparing the age distribution of A-kassa member beneficiaries in relation to the overall member age distribution, we see that unemployment is more prominent among older members. For older jobseekers, the situation became increasingly difficult in the beginning of September as a legislative amendment came into effect, removing the age-related exemption rules for unemployment security. […]
When is the qualifying period set?
Before any daily allowance can be paid, a qualifying period needs to be set. The qualifying period is seven unemployment days or an equivalent time period, and it must be fulfilled within eight consecutive calendar weeks. The TE Office must likewise have you registered as a jobseeker during the qualifying period. A maximum of five […]
Unemployment security weakens but unemployment fund membership benefits remain
Amendments and cuts to unemployment security raise questions on whether fund membership is worthwhile in the future. As the legislative amendments will decrease the earnings-related allowance paid out during unemployment or a lay-off period, bringing it closer to the basic unemployment allowance by Kela, many are pondering whether their fund membership is still worth it. […]
Right to job alternation leave to end on August 1
A new law abolishing the job alternation leave system enters into force on August 1, 2024. Your job alternation leave must therefore begin no later than July 31 if you still want to make use of this benefit before the new legislation takes effect. Persons with permanent employment and a sufficient employment history may […]
Government Programme reforms to unemployment security
Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government was published on 16 June 2023 and it also included many changes to earnings-related security. The law will not change immediately, and the amendments will need to undergo legislative drafting before entering into force. Not all of the stated policies will necessarily be implemented as entered in the […]
Legislative amendment approved: unemployment funds allowed to help find employment
On June 18, 2024, the Parliament of Finland approved a legislative amendment allowing unemployment funds to expand their role. With the amendment in force, funds will be able to offer employment services to their members. Such services may include employment services, counselling and help in finding employment as well as various coaching services. The […]
Child increment will be removed in April
The Government’s legislative change to remove the child increment completely will take effect on 1 April 2024. This means that the unemployment benefits paid after the beginning of April will not include any child increments. The removal of the child increment will reduce the amount of the daily unemployment allowance by EUR 125–240 per month. […]
Which areas of income security will change at the start of 2024?
The current Finnish Government’s first set of unemployment security reforms will take effect at the turn of the year if the changes of the law are approved. The changes will affect the Unemployment Security Act, which also governs unemployment funds. The reformed act is due to take effect on 1 January 2024. Let’s review the […]
Preliminary schedule for the changes in legislation on unemployment security
Several changes in the legislation on unemployment security will enter into force next year. The changes are being prepared in two packages. Information on all of the changes in legislation can be found here. Feedback statements on the draft government proposal related to the first package of legislative changes were collected in early September. A-kassa […]