The job alternation system was discontinued on 1 August 2024. It was possible to take leave until the end of July 2024, and people could take the full length of their leave if they wished. KOKO paid the last job alternation compensations to its members in February 2025.
The job alternation leave system was originally introduced on a trial basis by a temporary law that came into force at the beginning of 1996. The system was made permanent at the beginning of 2003. The job alternation leave system was reformed several times, and the conditions for taking leave and for hiring replacements were tightened. These changes also led to a significant decrease in job alternation leaves among KOKO’s members.
The plans to end the system increased its popularity in its final months. In 2024, the number of KOKO members receiving job alternation compensation rose by 132% compared to the previous year. In January 2025, compensation was still being paid to 124 members, and in February, the last month, to 64 members.
