Aaria Unemployment Fund’s rules

PART I – MISSION

SECTION 1. NAME, REGISTERED OFFICE, OPERATING AREA AND OBJECTIVE OF THE ORGANISATION

The organisation is called Aaria Unemployment Fund, and its registered office is located in Helsinki, Finland. The organisation is hereinafter referred to as ‘Aaria’.

Aaria operates nationwide.

Aaria is a wage-earners’ unemployment fund and a mutual liability organisation whose mission is to provide its members with unemployment benefits under the latest versions of the Unemployment Allowances Act and other applicable laws.

Aaria’s duties also include providing supplementary insurance for work performed on board foreign merchant vessels in international shipping under chapter 5, section 12 of the Unemployment Allowances Act. By way of derogation from sections 6 and 8, the supplementary insurance is governed by section 9.

PART II – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 2. TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP

Aaria accepts as its members wage-earners who are subject to provisions of the Unemployment Allowances Act and under the age of 68 years. ‘Wage-earners’ include all employees who make a living by working for someone else.

Members of Aaria cannot be members of another unemployment fund at the same time.

Membership applications must be submitted in writing to Aaria. Decisions on membership applications are taken by the Managing Director or a membership liaison officer working for Aaria.

Membership begins on the day on which the first membership fee payment is made and in any case no earlier than on the day on which the written membership application was submitted.

Aaria will issue a decision upon approving a membership application if necessary and always at the request of a member. Upon rejection of a membership application, the applicant shall be provided with a written decision on the matter.

SECTION 3. MEMBERSHIP CANCELLATIONS

A member who wishes to cancel their membership must notify Aaria of the same in writing. The cancellation will take effect at the earliest on the date of receiving the notification or on a later date stated in the notice.

All memberships expire automatically at the end of the calendar month in which the member reaches the age of 68 years.

SECTION 4. CAUTIONS, WARNINGS AND EXPULSION

The Managing Director or an officer authorised by the Board may, after hearing a member, give said member a caution or a warning or expel the member if the member
1) gave false or misleading information in their membership application;
2) deliberately misrepresented or concealed a fact that has a bearing on their eligibility for benefits from Aaria or the amount of benefits; or
3) is refusing to comply with Aaria’s rules.

Membership fees are due within four months of the start of the period that each fee is meant to cover.

If a member fails to pay their membership fee within four months of the start of the period that the fee is meant to cover, they can be expelled effective from the first day for which a membership fee has not been paid.

A member who becomes an entrepreneur may retain their membership of Aaria for up to 18 months from the start of the entrepreneurial activities.

Aaria will issue a written decision on the expulsion of membership.

SECTION 5. SWITCHING AND RETURNING MEMBERS

If a member of the wage-earners’ unemployment fund rejoins the wage-earners’ unemployment fund within one month of resignation, the employment requirement and the insured period accrued during their previous membership shall be credited to them.

An expelled member who is later readmitted cannot be given credit for their previous employment history, membership history or earlier membership fee payments.

SECTION 6. MEMBERSHIP FEES

Membership fees are payable in euros on a monthly basis. The amount is set annually by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority based on a proposal by Aaria’s Board.

If a member joins, cancels their membership or is expelled in the middle of a calendar month, they must nevertheless pay the membership fee for the whole calendar month.

Membership fees must be paid as stipulated by Aaria’s Board. Membership fees are due within four months of the start of the period that each fee is meant to cover. Penalties for missed membership fee payments are provided for in section 4 of the rules. Aaria reserves the right to deduct membership fees from the benefits it pays to its members.

Members who cancel their membership or who are expelled do not have the right to claim back fees paid for periods preceding their membership cancellation or expulsion.

SECTION 7. MEMBERSHIP FEE WAIVERS

The membership fee cannot be waived.

PART III – TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCES AND OTHER BENEFITS

SECTION 8. BENEFITS

Aaria grants earnings-related allowances and other unemployment benefits in accordance with the latest versions of the applicable laws.

SECTION 9. SUPPLEMENTARY SEAFARERS’ INSURANCE

Supplementary seafarers’ insurance makes it possible for Aaria’s seafaring members who live in Finland to satisfy the employment requirement by working on board a merchant vessel in international shipping within the meaning of the Seafarers’ Employment Contracts Act (756/2011) for the period specified in chapter 5 of the Unemployment Allowances Act. If the employment history based on which a member satisfies the employment requirement includes both work performed in Finland and work performed on board a merchant vessel registered in a country with which Finland does not have a social security agreement, the applicable unemployment security system depends on which type of work the member has done more of.

The provisions of the latest versions of the Unemployment Allowances Act and Decree concerning the employment requirement apply mutatis mutandis in other respects.

The amount of the daily allowance under the supplementary seafarers’ insurance is set by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on the basis of Aaria’s proposal. The full amount of the daily allowance cannot exceed the maximum amount of the earnings-related allowance laid down in the Unemployment Allowances Act, however. The daily allowance does not include child support supplements.

In addition to the membership fees provided for in section 6 above, members who work on board merchant vessels in international shipping must pay the monthly supplementary insurance premium set by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on the basis of Aaria’s proposal. What is provided for membership fees in section 6 applies in other respects.

SECTION 10. ALLOWANCE APPLICATIONS AND PAYMENTS

Applications for benefits must be submitted to Aaria within three months of the first day for which benefits are sought.

Aaria always issues a written decision as to whether an application has been approved or denied. All benefits are granted and paid in accordance with the applicable laws.

Any overdue membership fee payments can be deducted from the amount of the benefit.

PART IV – AARIA’S ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 11. GOVERNING BODIES

Aaria’s governing bodies are the Council of Representatives (‘Council’) and the Board of Directors (‘Board’).

SECTION 12. COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES

Aaria’s supreme decision-making body is the Council of Representatives, which convenes at a time and place designated by Aaria’s Board. Representatives are elected for terms of three years, with elections taking place every third year.

Each of the representatives present at the Council’s meetings has one vote. Votes are taken by simple majority. If the vote is tied in an election, lots are drawn; otherwise, the chairman of the meeting has the casting vote.

Each members’ community elects one representative for every two thousand (2,000) of its members as well as a sufficient number of alternates. For the purposes of elections, the number of members in each members’ community is the number that stood on the last day of the calendar year (31 December) preceding each election.

Issuing more detailed regulations on the election procedure is the Board’s responsibility.

Meetings of the Council of Representatives are called by Aaria’s Board. Invitations to Council meetings must be sent to the representatives by post or e-mail at least two weeks before each meeting.

Each members’ community must notify Aaria’s Board of its elected representatives 30 days before a meeting and provide evidence of election results.

SECTION 13. GENERAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES

The general meeting of the Council of Representatives is held by the end of May each year.

The agenda for the general meeting is as follows:
1) Presentation of the Board’s report of operations and audit report from the previous financial year;
2) Adoption of the previous year’s financial statements;
3) Decisions based on Aaria’s administration and finances;
4) Decisions based on the previous year’s financial performance;
5) Release of those responsible from liability;
6) Decisions on the remuneration of the chairman and other members of the Board and of auditors;
7) Decisions on the number of Board members every third year;
8) Election of the chairman and members of the Board as well as alternates every three years;
9) Where necessary, additional election of the chairman and members of the Board as well as alternates for the remaining term of office, if a person becomes ineligible for office or resigns;
10) Adoption of the election procedure every third year;
11) Appointment of two auditors and their alternates every third year. If an auditing firm is appointed, no alternates need be appointed;
12) Decisions on the grounds for determining the member communities
13) Determination of the grounds for membership fees;
14) Determination of investment principles; and
15) Decisions on the remuneration of the Council of Representatives chairmen and representatives for the next Council term; and
16) Other business as specified in the invitation to the meeting.

Final decisions can only be made on the aforementioned points.

SECTION 14. EXTRAORDINARY MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES

Extraordinary meetings of the Council of Representatives must be convened if

1) Aaria’s Board deems a meeting necessary;
2) the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority or Aaria’s auditors insist that a meeting be held on account of their findings; or
3) at least one tenth of Aaria’s members have signed a written petition for a specific issue to be addressed by the Council.

If the number of members drops below 8,000, an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Representatives must be called as soon as possible to decide whether or not Aaria should remain in business and what steps must be taken in such circumstances.

If Aaria’s Board refuses to call an extraordinary Council meeting without a legally valid reason, the Council must be convened by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority.

The invitation to the meeting must list the issues to be addressed. Final decisions can only be made on the points mentioned in the invitation.

SECTION 15. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Aaria’s Board consists of a chairman and between eight and 13 other members who must be members of Aaria, over 18 years old and meet the eligibility requirements provided for in the Unemployment Funds Act.

A personal alternate is appointed for each member of the Board except for the chairman.

The Board chooses two deputy chairmen (first and second deputy chairman) from among its members.

The Board can assemble a working committee from among its members, which can consist of up to three members, to attend to the Board’s preparatory work.

SECTION 16. PROCEDURE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Board meetings are called by the chairman or, if the chairman is unavailable, a deputy chairman.

The Board has a quorum when the chairman and at least half of the other members are present in person or participate in the meeting remotely.

Votes are taken by simple majority. If the vote is tied, the chairman has the casting vote except in an election, in which case lots are drawn.

By way of derogation from the above, investment decisions require a two-thirds majority.

Minutes must be taken of Board meetings and checked no later than in the following Board meeting.

SECTION 17. DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board is responsible for

1) ensuring that Aaria is managed in accordance with the law, these rules and the Council’s decisions;
2) drafting and adopting Aaria’s investment plan and making investment decisions;
3) ensuring that Aaria has a functional administration system with specified responsibility areas;
4) preparing a continuity plan for Aaria;
5) arranging for Aaria’s internal monitoring and risk management and establish the related written policies;
6) deciding on the outsourcing policies;
7) determining the principles for the payment of benefits;
8) appointing and dismissing the Managing Director as well as determining the terms of their engagement;
9) deciding on the composition and duties of the Management Team and dismissing from Management Team membership;
10) appointing and dismissing Aaria’s officers, agreeing on their duties and the terms and conditions of their employment, unless the assignment was transferred in whole or in part in accordance with Aaria’s administration system;
11) convening the Council of Representatives and drafting agendas for Council meetings;
12) providing the Council with written proposals that the auditors or members of the fund want addressed;
13) overseeing the execution of the Council’s decisions;
14) drawing up annual action plans and budgets;
15) making proposals of the amount of the membership fee to the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority once a year;
16) submitting an application for financial contributions to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health once a year;
17) authorising individuals to enter into agreements on behalf of Aaria as required; and
18) taking decisions on all other matters for which laws, regulations or these rules do not provide differently.

SECTION 18. DUTIES OF THE MANAGING DIRECTOR

The person officially responsible for the operation of Aaria is the Managing Director.

The Managing Director’s responsibilities include
1) directing and overseeing Aaria’s operation;
2) attending to Aaria’s financial management and other business;
3) drafting agendas for Board meetings;
4) reporting to the Board on the most important aspects of Aaria’s operation and finances;
5) implementing the Board’s decisions;
6) attending to other duties assigned to the Managing Director in the rules; and
7) attending to other duties assigned by the Board.

SECTION 19. AUTHORISED SIGNATORIES

Aaria’s authorised signatories are the chairman of the Board, the Managing Director and any other persons authorised by the Board to enter into agreements on behalf of Aaria.

However, loan applications must be signed by either the chairman of the Board or the Managing Director as well as one other member of the Board.

SECTION 20. MEMBERS’ COMMUNITIES

The Board divides Aaria’s operating area into members’ communities according to principles established at the general meeting of the Council of Representatives and appoints an officer to oversee each members’ community.

SECTION 21. INVITATIONS TO MEETINGS AND COMMUNICATION WITH MEMBERS

Invitations to Council meetings and other communications aimed at Aaria’s members are published on Aaria’s website or brought to members’ attention otherwise as instructed by the Board at least two weeks before action is required.

The Board’s report of operations and financial statements as well as the audit report must be kept available for Aaria’s members to read at Aaria’s offices for a period of at least one week before the general meeting of the Council of Representatives each year.

SECTION 22. LOANS

The Board has a mandate to take out short-term loans for the sole purpose of paying benefits to Aaria’s members.

SECTION 23. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Aaria’s accounting period is one calendar year.

The Board has three months from the end of each accounting period to draw up financial statements, which must include an income statement, a balance sheet and an annual report. The financial statements and all documents supporting the financial statements must be submitted to the auditors no later than one month before the general meeting of the Council of Representatives each year. The Board shall include in the annual report a proposal on actions regarding Aaria’s losses or gains.

The auditors must submit a written report on their audit of each accounting period to the Board no later than two weeks before the general meeting of the Council of Representatives in which the financial statements in question are due to be adopted.

SECTION 24. ASSETS

Aaria’s assets are kept in an equalisation fund. If the financial statements show a surplus, the surplus is transferred to the equalisation fund.

SECTION 25. DEFICITS

If the financial statements show a deficit, up to 50% of the value of the equalisation fund can be used to cover the deficit.

If the deficit cannot be covered in the manner described in the first paragraph, it will be covered by Finnish unemployment funds’ support fund or with additional Government contributions as provided for in sections 21 and 22 of the Unemployment Funds Act.

PART V – MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 26. REGULATORY OVERSIGHT

Regulatory oversight of Aaria rests with the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority.

SECTION 27. PROVISION OF SERVICES

Aaria may support the employment of its members by providing services in accordance with section 1, subsection 2, of the Unemployment Fund Act.

SECTION 28. AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES

In the event that changes are introduced to the Unemployment Allowances Act or Decree, the Unemployment Funds Act or other unemployment security laws, Aaria’s Board reserves the right to amend these rules accordingly.

Amending these rules in circumstances other than those referred to in the first paragraph, or dissolving the fund in circumstances other than those referred to in the second paragraph of section 14, requires a two-thirds majority vote by Aaria’s Council of Representatives.

SECTION 29. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS UPON THE DISSOLUTION OF AARIA

If a decision is made to dissolve Aaria or if Aaria is ordered to close, any assets remaining after the payment of debts and the satisfaction of other obligations will be transferred to the Employment Fund.