I respond as a former host mother to 5 au pairs and as a Managing Director of a company in Australia that both sends and receives au pairs.
I would like to note my concern about plans to abolish au pair arrangements in your country. Having had 5 au pairs care for my children, I cannot attest to the long-term benefits that au pairing has on the lives of young people and the children that they care for.
Here is just one example - Next month my son and I will be visiting Europe to spend time with our former au pairs - 3 years after the last au pair left our family. We have maintained contact with all our former au pairs and consider them and their families as members of our extended family. Our Au pairs have opened my children's eyes to the world and have fostered a curiosity for other countries and cultures. That is a lifelong gift.
At its core Au pairing allows working women to return to the workforce, they offer flexible in-home care and share their culture with their host family and the broader community. At a macro level, an au pair will explore your country and spend their money in your economy. They are job creators who provide measurable economic benefits.
As an agency who brings au pairs to Australia, I fully support any measures that ensure au pairing is a safe and well supported experience. As we emerge from the devastating impacts of a global pandemic, we need to be providing our youth with more immersive cultural exchange opportunities - not removing them.
Lastly I would be amiss if I did not mention our Au pairs are our future diplomats; their time as au pair repeatedly is shown to influence their career paths and their interactions with others.
I hope that you will take steps to protect this valuable cultural exchange and ensure parameters are in place so that it is a safe and rewarding experience.
I would like to note my concern about plans to abolish au pair arrangements in your country. Having had 5 au pairs care for my children, I cannot attest to the long-term benefits that au pairing has on the lives of young people and the children that they care for.
Here is just one example - Next month my son and I will be visiting Europe to spend time with our former au pairs - 3 years after the last au pair left our family. We have maintained contact with all our former au pairs and consider them and their families as members of our extended family. Our Au pairs have opened my children's eyes to the world and have fostered a curiosity for other countries and cultures. That is a lifelong gift.
At its core Au pairing allows working women to return to the workforce, they offer flexible in-home care and share their culture with their host family and the broader community. At a macro level, an au pair will explore your country and spend their money in your economy. They are job creators who provide measurable economic benefits.
As an agency who brings au pairs to Australia, I fully support any measures that ensure au pairing is a safe and well supported experience. As we emerge from the devastating impacts of a global pandemic, we need to be providing our youth with more immersive cultural exchange opportunities - not removing them.
Lastly I would be amiss if I did not mention our Au pairs are our future diplomats; their time as au pair repeatedly is shown to influence their career paths and their interactions with others.
I hope that you will take steps to protect this valuable cultural exchange and ensure parameters are in place so that it is a safe and rewarding experience.