Working in an international organisation or an EU agency

The same rules as for any other work abroad apply to work in international organisations, with one exception. The one exception concerns whether the work may be considered work that extends the employment condition review period.

For purposes of unemployment security, international organisations are divided into two categories.

1. Organisations in which Finland participates. These include the UN and its special organisations, the EU, OECD, GATT, the World Bank, the Council of Europe, the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Nordic Council.

Work done in these international organisations is considered to extend the review period, to a maximum extension of 7 years. However, such work cannot be credited to your employment condition.

When you become unemployed after working in an international organisation referred to in option 1, submit to KOKO details of your work in the organisation and details of your employment before joining the organisation. In such cases, your daily allowance will be calculated on the basis of the work you were in before joining the organisation, provided that the work occurred within a review period extended by a maximum of 7 years (9 years 4 months in all).

Working as a UN peacekeeper is considered normal work done in Finland and credited to the employment condition, because the employer of Finnish peacekeepers is the Defence Forces.

Sometimes you may be paid an unemployment supplement by the organisation or EU agency where you worked. Remember to declare all your benefits to KOKO. KOKO will investigate whether your benefits have any impact on your daily allowance.

2. Organisations that operate internationally but have country-specific presences. These include the International Red Cross and friendship societies between Finland and another country.

Work done in these international organisations is not considered to extend the review period, but it may be credited towards the employment condition.

When you become unemployed after working in an international organisation referred to in option 2, consult the instructions concerning work in the EU area, a Nordic country, or another country and act as instructed.