The Farmers' Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Mela) has announced that it has begun restructuring negotiations and is reorganising its operations as part of a broader effort to adapt to a shrinking client base.

The negotiations, which apply to the organisation’s entire staff of approximately 200 employees, could result in the estimated loss of up to 36 jobs.

Mela stated that structural changes in agriculture are reflected in a decline in the number of people covered by the Farmers’ Pension Insurance (MYEL).

Despite this decline, Mela’s organisational structure and staff levels have remained virtually unchanged for a long time.

Alongside potential staff reductions, the organisation aims to maintain smooth service to its clients and meet their expectations, for example, by expanding digital services.

However, the organisation noted that this would require developing new types of expertise.

“The goal is to ensure the high-quality fulfilment of Mela’s core mission, strengthen the clarity of leadership, and secure the organisation’s long-term sustainability,” Mela CEO, Heli Backman, commented.

Backman also emphasised that Mela is more than just a pension insurer, as it provides accident insurance, occupational safety, farm relief, and early support services for agricultural entrepreneurs, grant recipients, and potentially other special groups in the future.

The organisation’s operations are funded by both insurance premiums and government subsidies. And as an organisation partially funded by public funds, Backman said that Mela considers it its duty to streamline its operations and thus bear its share of responsibility for the state of public finances.

The goal is to conclude the restructuring negotiations by summer 2026.

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