About JHL
The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL is a trade union for people working in the public and private welfare services sector.
JHL offers a modern channel for unionisation for all wage and salary earners in the public and welfare sectors. It provides an alternative to narrow, occupation-based representation of interests. JHL is also a strong actor in developing working life in general.
Public services constitute all services provided by central or local government (e.g. health services, schools, universities, police, road maintenance, day care, services for the elderly, government office services, library services).
Private welfare services constitute all services financed through taxes but provided by a private service provider (e.g. private social and health services, detox services provided by organisations, services provided by private vocational schools, sports club activities, services offered in the agriculture and counselling sectors).
JHL has close to 240 000 members representing nearly all fields of occupation. JHL members are employed by:
- the state
- municipalities
- joint municipal authorities
- parishes
- companies and enterprises owned by the above
- non-profit organisations
- companies or corporations providing services for the public sector in the corresponding industries
JHL is involved in negotiations concerning agreements that affect working life within welfare services provided by the state, municipalities, the church and the private sector.
The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL
- negotiates the collective agreements for these fields
- promotes its members' interests at the workplace
- works to improve the income, job security and quality of life of its members
- seeks to increase its influence by gaining a stronger foothold among companies and non-governmental organisations, which apply principles of entrepreneurship in their operations and which are to an increasing extent providing public, tax-financed services.
JHL has 14 regional offices throughout Finland. There is a JHL branch at almost every workplace in the sector, and the members' own shop steward is often right on hand.
