Kildare woman hits out at WRC ruling that 'may stop au pairs coming to Ireland'

A Fianna Fáil bill that is aimed at regulating how many hours au pairs work each week has been shot down by the government, much to the relief of many host families and would-be au pairs from the continent.

The bill that was proposed by the party would see au pairs' working hours regulated. Under the terms of the new bill, au pairs would be hired by families as part of a cultural exchange programme, and they would be given pocket money and a home to stay in for doing various chores that were agreed upon.

The bill was drafted by Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte, but was shot down by the government, Sinn Féin and the Anti-Austerity Alliance.

Some government officials slammed the bill, saying that families could exploit workers by offering them as little as €1 a week as pocket money.

The Workplace Relations Commission this year ordered that a live-in Spanish au pair should be paid at least minimum wages for the chores she was carrying out, meaning the host family were forced to pay more than €9,000 in back pay after they were found to be in breach of employment law.

Catherine O'Gorman, a mother of three from Kilcullen, says that she would welcome any regulation that helps to prevent the exploitation of au pairs is welcome, but having to pay them a minimum wage would destroy the au pair service. Quoted in today's Irish Daily Mail, Ms O'Gorman said that that the WRC's ruling could also be problematic.

'They're very much part of our family," she says of the au pairs that have stayed with her and her three sons over the years.

"They have their own bedroom and ensuite. They work about 30 hours a week but not at the weekends and we never ask them to do any housework."

"We give pocket money of €100 per week. Then, if they babysit, we will give them extra. We always include them in activities and dinners too. We've also paid for some of the girls' gym membership or phone credit. We don't consider them employees."

Ms O'Gorman, a teacher, said: 'If regulation were to be put in place, it would be fantastic: it would protect au pairs and host families.'

Speaking of the ruling at the WRC, Ms O'Gorman says that it could pose problems.

"There's a big difference between a girl from Europe coming over on a gap year to be part of a family and learn English and someone coming who wants to specifically earn money," she said.