The goal for Kommunal’s social security fund is to process cases within five weeks, but Maria has had to wait significantly longer than that, somewhat The municipal worker previously reported on.
Maria tells TV4 Nyheterna that she has been a member of Kommunal’s unemployment fund for several years and that she turned to them when she became unemployed in June, but that she has still not received any information about compensation.
– On their website they write that they promise that it will make it safe for you when you are unemployed, but it is not noticeable, says Maria.
She tells them that she calls them every other day and that she either doesn’t get through at all, or ends up in a long phone line.
– When I arrive, I still don’t get any help, but instead get the answer that they take everything in turn, continues Maria.
Trying to be clear and helpful
Kommunal’s social security fund believes that there can be various reasons why a case may have a longer processing time, for example that the person applying may have missed submitting documents.
– Unemployment insurance is difficult legislation and it is difficult for the member to know what we need. We naturally try to be as clear and helpful as possible, but it is also difficult for us to know, before we start investigating, what we might need, says Mats Carlson, communicator at Kommunal’s unemployment fund.
Maria was also informed that she needed to supplement her application, but despite having submitted the missing documents, she received no notification.
Has received criticism
In the past, it has been established that Kommunal’s unemployment fund has significantly longer processing times than other unemployment funds. This has led, among other things, to the Inspectorate for Unemployment Insurance, IAF, initiating several supervisory cases and demanding that the waiting period be shortened.
– In order to reduce our processing times, we have, among other things, hired more staff. We have also reviewed how we work to make our work more efficient, says Mats Carlson.
In addition, it has received criticism from the Ombudsman for Justice, JO, for its long processing times and the difficulty of getting in touch with it.
– We have definitely taken the criticism from JO to heart, we know that we need to have better availability and have therefore extended our telephone hours and reinforced with more staff, Mats continues.
But for Maria, the uncertainty continues.
– It feels hopeless and stressful, I have rent, loans and fees to pay. In addition, I would rather spend my time looking for new jobs, instead of sitting in a telephone queue for the unemployment insurance fund, she says.