This is the description from FaFo’s homepage 

This report is the outcome of an evaluation of the Norwegian au pair scheme. The main objectives of the evaluation have been to uncover whether (or not) the scheme is practised according to its original intentions, and whether the changes introduced to the scheme in 2007 have generated the desired effects. The basic aim of the evaluation has thus been to give a comprehensive assessment of the au pair scheme, and furthermore to see whether additional changes are needed other than those already put in place in 2007. The report describes the strategies and motivations of au pairs and host families, and discusses how contact is established between them.

There has been a considerable increase in the number of au pairs in Norway, from 691 in 2000 to 2860 in 2008, with Filipinos representing the largest group. The majority of au pairs are female, and only a small proportion of applicants are men, making au pairing a form of female-dominated employment involving what has traditionally been the responsibility of women within the household, namely housework and care work.

 The report examines the increase in numbers and the fact that third country nationals today dominate the scheme. It also debates whether au pairs and host families see au pair placement as a cultural exchange scheme in accordance with the original intentions, or as a form of employment. In addition, the report offers a brief description of the conditions for au pair placement in the UK, Denmark and Poland as a comparison to the situation in Norway. In light of these various issues, the evaluation offers policy recommendations for improvements and changes to the structural framework of au pair placement.

You can download the full report as a pdf file by clicking this link that will lead you to site.

The launching of this report  was attended by State Secretary Libe Rieber-Mohn, the State Secreatary of integration, immigration, and diversity matters. One of Fafo’s recommendation is that the Norwegian government/embassy has to work on establishing a bi-lateral agreement with the Philippines. According to the State Secretary Lieber -Mohn that they are already in dialog with the Philippine goverment  and  will continue this autumn, she said, and if there is no agreement reached, Norway will most likely follow the Wien convention and respect Filipino law regarding au pairs. (source: http://www.lofot-tidende.no/innenriks/article4529719.ece)

So I hope the Philippine goverment will look on this matter now that the Norwegian goverment will sit down and willing to establish a bi-lateral agreement regarding the aupair system. For your information the Philippines doesn’t allow it’s citizens to go out and work as an aupair. Check the realted posts on this site  regarding the ban, The research of aupair program by Genevieve Arroyo Part 1 & Part 2 andd Not is all fair for Au pairs by Filomenits Hoegsholm. 

This is relevant for the Filipinos  because according to the 2008 statistics there are 2,090 filipinaaupairs out of 2,860 that is 73.08 % of the total aupairs in Norway. Filipinos in the past years flocks to Norway after their term as aupair  in Denmark and Holland. Others came direct from the Philippines amidst the ban by paying  a large sum of money to corrupt officials at the airport and agencies. 

As there is a continous demand for househelp more and more families are misusing the aupair system because it much more cheaper than hiring a professional help. Although the pocket money is higher than in the Philippines they should  still follow the European standard. So much was changed when they started the aupair system it is not a cultural exchange anymore but it mean work to the aupair and cheap labor to the host families. So is au pair still on equal terms?

Cathy, The filipina au pair

This is Catherine when she was in Holland, her picture reflects sweetness and contentment of her experience with her host family in Holland. But she asked me not to published her present picture because she lost weight because she don’t want her family to worry when they see her now.

Catherine story is one of the many Filipina sad stories about the bad aupair situation in Denmark. I met her last Saturday sobbing while telling me her sad flight, her sad experiences with mind you 2 danish families.

The 1st danish host family

Catherine came to Denmark almost 5 months ago hoping to broaden her cultural horizons since she already worked as an aupair in Holland for 1 year she want to extent her stay in Europe. Nearing the end of her contract in Holland she tried to find possible au pair job in Denmark and she made contact to a family in Hellerup and they hired her as their au pair or offer (that’s danish for victim).

She received 2,500 dkk monthly in allowance thats the minimum allowance set up by the state but she worked more than the allowed maximum of 30 days per week. She was asked to baby sit for many hours sometimes 10 hours per week and she tried to talked to them and they said that they will see until she noticed she was already five months. It is not only long working hours but it’s more of how they treated her badly like she was not a part of the family but a house help. For along time she can not sleep and lost so much weight and she cannot take it anymore then one day while she was crying in the train station wondering what kind of hell she end up with. Another au pair approached her and gave her a telephone number of a family who is looking for an au pair. When she informed her host that she will transfer to a new family they immediately asked her to leave and sign a paper that she is transferring to this and that but it also written there without her knowledge (it was in danish) that her service as their au pair were paid but actually they owed her at least more than half a months salary but they told her that they will send it to her new address. They gå væk translated go out go out while laughing and shouted you will work your head and ass anywhere. Well maybe she’s witch because it became true. Just read on.

The 2nd danish host family

She then contacted that family in Holte where they promised her 3000 DKK allowance and a bus ticket to the city in her free time but it turned out that this 2nd family was worse than the first one. She starts to work 7.15 prepare breakfast and pack lunch, feed the kids, prepare the clothes and bathe and clothe them. She has to clean the house pick up the kids in Hellerup, do the laundry, help with the assignment, cook dinner, feed kids, prepare clothes for the next day etc. until around 8 pm. Wow that’s more than 10 hours everyday. For few days she don’t even have any break for meal just drank some tea that’s all. So when she received her schedule she reminded the lady of the house that she should only work max. 5 hours and also give her some breaks according to the contract they both signed but the dot the answer “You should see a doctor,I think you are depressed”, who will be depressed with that schedule just take a look below.

Cathy's Schedule