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Freelancers in the creative industries work without a stable employment framework as a matter of principle. It is therefore important to understand the key livelihood structures.

Securing your livelihood

Social security

Freelancers' social security skills are key when it comes to issues such as unemployment benefits, sickness, income support, occupational pensions and studies.

Unemployment benefits

Unemployment benefits are a cash benefit paid to a person who is without work and income but who is willing and able to work. Unemployment benefits provide a basic income during unemployment.

Studying while unemployed

If you are unemployed, you can study under certain conditions while retaining your unemployment benefit. By studying, you can improve your chances of finding a job and update your skills.

Income support

Income support is the most basic financial support you can get if your other income and resources are not enough to cover essential expenses such as food, rent and medicine.

Getting sick

As a freelancer, falling ill can have a significant impact on your income. Sick pay varies depending on whether you are employed, self-employed, on a grant or unemployed.

Freelancer's occupational pension and accident insurance

In Finland, an occupational pension is part of the statutory pension system. Its purpose is to provide a secure income when a person leaves working life, for example as a result of old age or disability. One of the most important insurances for freelancers is accident insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Does the union pay the earnings-related daily allowance?

The Federation does not pay the earnings-related daily allowance or any other unemployment benefits. The daily allowance is paid by the unemployment fund. Most of Teme’s members belong to the A Fund, the Open Unemployment Fund. Read more about the daily income-related allowance here Unemployment benefits – Freeo.

What is a work condition?

The work condition means that you must have worked enough under certain conditions to qualify for the earnings-related daily allowance paid by the unemployment fund or the basic daily allowance paid by Kela. As a freelancer, it is important to remember that you only accumulate the working condition for employment – commissioned work does not accumulate the condition. Read more about the working condition and how to accumulate the working condition on the Safeguarding Livelihoods website – Freeo.

What do I do, I'm unemployed?

Register as an unemployed jobseeker on your first day of unemployment at the latest. Register for unemployment on the Labour Market Market website or by phone. Without this declaration, you will not be able to claim unemployment benefit.

Check which unemployment benefit you are entitled to.

Apply for unemployment benefit according to your situation.

See if you need another benefit.

Stay active in your job search and make use of the job search services, training opportunities and career psychologists at the Job Centre.

Read more here Unemployment benefits – Freeo.

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Frequently asked questions

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