• Membership fee

The membership fee of the Seamen's Union is 1.55 percent of taxable income.

The membership fee is paid on all taxable income, that means work done at sea and work done on land.

When you join the Seamen's Union and the Open Unemployment Fund, the Union pays the fund's membership fee on your behalf.

The collection of the membership fee is mainly handled by the employer. Always check your pay slip to see if there is a note about the membership fee. If you pay the membership fee yourself, the due date is the 15th of each month and payments are made retroactively. For example, the due date for the January membership fee is the 15th of February.

For work on land, you need to pay the membership fee yourself. The membership fee is paid either via the electronic service or payment information can also be requested from the Union's membership register.

Student members do not pay membership fees during their studies. However, if you work while studying, you will pay a membership fee based on your earnings. Always remember to report your study period to the membership register.

If the Unemployment Fund pays benefit to you, the membership fee is charged directly from the unemployment allowance, job alternation compensation, etc.

If you have a business/are an entrepreneur in addition to your paid work, or are about to start a business, please inform the membership register.

Membership fee exemptions

You do not have to pay membership fees in certain life situations when you do not receive a salary. For example, studying, serving in the military, and maternity and parental leave are grounds for not paying membership fees. If you work while studying, you pay the membership fee from your income.

Long sick leave also affects your membership fee. The Union's membership fee is charged from the salary paid by your employer during the sick leave.

You do not need to pay a membership fee for sickness or unemployment allowance paid by Kela, but you must notify the Union of this, as the we will not automatically be informed of the benefit periods paid by Kela. Membership in the Union and member benefits will remain during the membership fee exemption.

Changes in your situation must be reported to the member register by email or via the electronic member service, to avoid unnecessary reminders and bear letters.

Please note that if you report your membership fee exemption to the Unemployment Fund A-kassa, the information will not be automatically transferred to the union!

Retirement must also be reported to the member register. An email or phone call is sufficient. Retired members will still receive the Merimies- magazine and can use the member benefits. They can also rent the Union's cottages when there are no working bookers.

Failure to pay the membership fee does not mean you have automatically resigned from the membership. Notice of resignation must be made in writing, for example by email to jasenrekisteri@smu.fi. When resigning, membership fees must be paid until the date of resignation.