Au pair -- indentured servitude or cultural exchange

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd like to know why the rematch process is given only 2 weeks by the agencies.

The rule, as far as I understand it, is that a host parent has to HOUSE a rematch au pair for two weeks. They are not necessarily required to go home if they haven't found a match after two weeks. I know many au pairs who have stayed with friends or other host parents after their two week period was up. This seems like a reasonable rule to me, as a host parent. Having gone through a rematch, it's incredibly difficult for all parties to live with each other after having decided not to. It's awkward for the au pair and the host parents, painful for the kids, a challenge if the host parents are matching with a new au pair (where to put both au pairs in the house if there is overlap?), etc. It just doesn't make sense to require host parents to provide free housing to an au pair who has either decided to go into rematch or who the host parents have decided is unsafe or a bad fit for their family for an extended period of time until the au pair herself decides to match.

There are some LCCs that will take an au pair, but that's too much to ask LCCs too, particularly ones that have dozens of au pairs in the clusters. The agencies could put the au pairs up in hotels or something, but when should be the limit of time? That's the question really. What would you think is fair? And where should the au pair live in the meantime?

[Anonymous]

APs can usually find places to stay. Why can't they have more than 2 weeks to find themselves a new family. Most LCCs don't have time to help them with much of anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff said to bring argument to Off Topic and so I am.

The only purpose of this program is cheap childcare for cheap Americans. I do not see how it could ever be a cultural exchange program when 45 hours a week is taking care of children.

No overtime is paid. Frequently, there are 4 children for the au pair to care for.

The program needs to be revamped as follows:

1. Can work no more than 40 hours a week.
2. Program conforms to US labor laws.
3. Maximum of two children to care for.
4. Paid prevailing minimum wage of jurisdiction in which the host family lives.
5. No housework or yardwork, other than cleaning her room. Straightening children's room but no vaccuming. No cooking, cleaning kitchen for entire family and NEVER laundry for parents.
6. Every hour on the clock, e.g., AP has to pick up child from school at 3:30, on clock for travel time to school.
7. Two full weekends, Friday, 6 pm to Monday, 6 am, free.
8. All Federal holidays off.
9. If AP is taken on holiday with family, no taking care of kids. If taking care if kids is expected, then she has a private room.
10. Holiday meals cooked by host family, no using AP as maid.

Flame away, I 'm asbestos!

From what I've seen, op is 100% right.

And you've seen it...how? As PP said earlier she's got a bunch of assumptions wrong.
As a HF who has had many happy APs, I question where you are getting your information and what your relationship is to the childcare industry.

However I would welcome this:

1) Transparency from the agencies about the rate of rematches
2) Transparency from the agencies about the number of rematches due to various reasons including host family rule violations
3) Increased competition by agencies (State Department should increase the number of agencies allowed)
4) An impartial hotline or other resource for au pairs who feel abused.

I'm another host mom. I would also welcome those changes. Also, better coordination between agencies so that if a host parent or au pair breaks the rules, they are officially prevented from getting another au pair and/or family.

And PP - I posted above that the OP was actually wrong in many ways - and suggested a few things that are already rules. So to come on and say that "from what you've seen, the OP is right" doesn't make any sense. What do you think is right? And how would you propose the changes get made and enforced?

Again, I'm not opposed to changes - in fact, I think there need to be some and PP with the four options lists some great ones. I'm not against discussing that there could be things improved. But it's only valuable when both sides are informed and communicate their concerns and options fully. I've reasonably and knowledgeably responded to the OP. I would love for her to do the same.

If the State Department is unable to enforce any rules, that explains the wild west abuse.

[Anonymous]

Op, if you are a nanny being taken advantage of, go to network news and report your situation. I'm sure they would be interested. Np here, and mb. I have seen too many nasty moms who try to take advantage of ap's naivete. Gl.

[Anonymous]

My AP seems pretty happy. She said that it's easier than a job in her home country where she works long hours for little pay or protection. We have 1 kid. Consistent schedule. All weekends off. We give her a car, laptop, phone, money on her metro card, education stipend, all fed holidays off plus 2 week vacation, 3 meals a day, private room and bathroom. She has no reoccurring expenses and can spend her money / free time on whatever she wants. She uses it to travel, party,or shop for clothes and makeup.

She is free to come and go as she pleases. It's all her choice. We treat her like a family member. She is excited to live in America, learn and try new things.

I think some host families may abuse, but not all. OP may have had a bad experience. But not everyone does...

[Anonymous]

I am baffled as to how anyone things the au pair program is cheap childcare? It is not cheap. We make $110,000 which is not a lot for this area I know but we cannot afford an au pair. The weekly fee to the au pair, sure, but the agency fees, travel costs, car costs, cell phone etc, all add up and make it unaffordable for us.
The advantage I see is that you can flex the hours more with an au pair than you can with a Nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am baffled as to how anyone things the au pair program is cheap childcare? It is not cheap. We make $110,000 which is not a lot for this area I know but we cannot afford an au pair. The weekly fee to the au pair, sure, but the agency fees, travel costs, car costs, cell phone etc, all add up and make it unaffordable for us.
The advantage I see is that you can flex the hours more with an au pair than you can with a Nanny.

The program might be expensive, but the cut the APs actually get is quite shameful. If you look at the bare minimum they are to receive, you'd have a hell of a time finding a live-in nanny, even an inexperienced one for that rate.

[Anonymous]

Why are we bringing up a year old thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are we bringing up a year old thread?

Because the question is legitimate. 45 hours a week, no OT, lowest minimum Wage in DC area. It is, in my opinion, a form of modern indentured servitude and program should be scrapped or highest local minimum wage should be Paid and OT for the five hours over 40. Judging by the host moms who post, more than a few take advantage of APs.

The US State Dept. should not be concerned with providing childcare, at any price, for Americans.

Aug pairs are 59% cheaper than hiring a nanny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are we bringing up a year old thread?

Because the question is legitimate. 45 hours a week, no OT, lowest minimum Wage in DC area. It is, in my opinion, a form of modern indentured servitude and program should be scrapped or highest local minimum wage should be Paid and OT for the five hours over 40. Judging by the host moms who post, more than a few take advantage of APs.

The US State Dept. should not be concerned with providing childcare, at any price, for Americans.

Aug pairs are 59% cheaper than hiring a nanny.

Live-in nannies don't get OT in most states either...

[Anonymous]

Live in nannies also get paid considerably more than minimum wage and are, supposed to be at any rate, paid straight time for all hours worked.

[Anonymous]

The Au Pair program is literally the definition of indentured servitude. The APs work for shit wages in exchange for entrance into the country. Look at the host parents constantly screeching that they and they're kids should be AP's priority, while they seek out every way to get around their end of the cultural exchange deal. "Do we have to bring her on vacation?" "Does she have to eat dinner with the rest of us?" "Can I limit her food intake?" "Can I refuse to provide transportation for leisure time and strand her at my house so she's available at my beck and call?" "How much housework can we make her do under the guise of being part of the family???" It's disgusting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Au Pair program is literally the definition of indentured servitude. The APs work for shit wages in exchange for entrance into the country. Look at the host parents constantly screeching that they and they're kids should be AP's priority, while they seek out every way to get around their end of the cultural exchange deal. "Do we have to bring her on vacation?" "Does she have to eat dinner with the rest of us?" "Can I limit her food intake?" "Can I refuse to provide transportation for leisure time and strand her at my house so she's available at my beck and call?" "How much housework can we make her do under the guise of being part of the family???" It's disgusting.

This is 100% right. And screeching is the right word to. Ouch!

[Anonymous]

This thread never gets old for you, does it trolly poster?

[Anonymous]

#5 is hilarious.

Straightening kids' room OK, vacuuming not OK. The specialized "kids vacuuming employee" should take care of all kids room vacuuming, got it.