In a far-ranging document, Caritas Denmark reports the abuse committed by the system that applies to au-pair agreements. It is a “system that finds cheap home help for Danish families but only to a lesser extent can one still speak of a cultural exchange, which is supposed to be its official purpose”, states Jann Sjursen, secretary general of Caritas. According to Caritas, the current system should be “phased out”, and the host families “who need help for their household chores should follow the rules of other forms of labour agreements, which already exist”, so that home helps can enjoy the same rights as the other workers in Denmark. They also ask that some requirements be laid down for to au-pair agreements: host families should be prepared to take in au pairs; agreements should be taken care of by licensed Danish organisations; au pairs should have a compulsory induction meeting once they arrive in Denmark; residence permits should not be dependent on the host family. In addition, au pairs should have two days off a week and one weekend off a month. For such experiences to be part of people’s educational process, the age limit should be reduced from 30 to 25. Likewise, protection should be extended to au pairs who get pregnant during their stay.
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