Unions and employers are demanding more protection and better supervision for au pairs. They thus join Flemish Minister of Labor Zuhal Demir (N-VA). Last week, he lashed out in the Flemish parliament at the au pair agency that Natassia Van Kerkvoorde and Oona Noyen, two participants of the reality program ‘The Real Housewives of Antwerp’, started.
Journalist at HLN
Source: BELGA
LOOK. Minister Demir finds it scandalous that people promote au pairs as cheap childcare
According to Minister Demir, the fact that the au pair system is promoted by them as a cheap form of childcare is “scandalous”. For the minister, it is yet another proof that the status of au pairs urgently needs to be amended.
The Social-Economic Council of Flanders, a consultative body of the Flemish government in which employers and employees are represented, also advocates granting an employee status to au pairs. “Today, the lack of a clear statute still too often leads to abuse and a lack of supervision,” unions and employers note. According to the SERV, there is also a need for clear agreements and planning between the host family and the au pair about language training and cultural exchange. The social partners also advocate that cooperation should only be done with recognized employment agencies with specific recognition for the placement of au pairs.