Great interest in Philippine
au pair's conditions in Denmark
In the past there has been much attention in Denmark on the Philippine au pair's relationship. It was Ph.D. Fellow Helle Stenum investigation "Cheap labor and cultural exchange", as she put forward on a major committee hearing in the Danish Parliament in October.
We got the chance to talk about our conditions and point of views to the things need to change,based on our experience last few years. This happened in particular TV2, in Politiken and Jyllands-Posten. In parallel, I and other Filipino women interviewed for the book, EU parliamentarian Britta Thomsen (S) writes about immigration.
I've been very pleased with the possibility that parliamentary hearing has created for us. A practical and very quickly result has been the example that foreigners Services Au pair and Trainee Office has reported very positive about collaborative opportunities with agencies.
Our main views on the Philippine au pairs in Denmark are:
There is too little knowledge about what the au pair scheme will involve both the Danish and Philippine side. The Philippine women think they come to work and count all hours. The Danish family's perception - and it is true - is that au pair means on equal terms and that it is a cultural exchange. It means doing it together, to be performed six days a week with a maximum of 30 hours a week and Sunday is holiday.
An example: An au pair must wash the car every Thursday evening. It is not "on an equal footing". But if it is family tradition to go down on the tank station and make the car clean together with kids and family member and eat an ice cream after washing car will be on equal terms and therefore it is part of being Au-pair.
We have raised the issue of the Danish Immigration Service, and they have promised to clarify the rules of the system on a paper that will be circulated to all au pairs when they get a residence permit.
The Philippine government and the Danish Government has no contracts for au pairs, which the Philippines has a number of other countries. It could cause major problems for our au pairs, and we have spoken to both politicians and Immigration Service on the matter. Stumbling block is that the Danish government will not give au pairs a work permit, but only a residence permit. They will not recognize the work done. Our desire is that the Danish government will provide at this point. Alternatively, creating an insurance system, as the Philippines, who come here have a reasonable protection as everyone else.
Cheap labor or CULTURAL EXCHANGES
"The au pairs who come to the country, is here often in the role of breadwinner-or provider for a family on their home country, and they come to Denmark because the au pair system is a (although limited) opportunity to work and earn money. "
A researcher doctoral candidate Helle Stenum in the conclusion to her study on the au pair system in Denmark with a special focus on Filipino migrants.
It also says: Another very important part of the explanation for why there is such a big difference between the au pair stays, lies in the nature of immigration regulation and vulnerable position, thereby creating the au pair. In and with the housework in Denmark is not recognized as workers, and her work as not work, she does not get along with his residence permit its work. Meanwhile, her residence tied to a family, which she in this way depends on if she will continue to stay in the country.
She is thus in a position where she comes to work and earn money, but may not work outside the standard set out in the au pair contract, which is the minimum 2,500 kroner for the maximum 30 hours. Her opportunity to appeal the family is in practice limited to resign from the family and then even try to find a new family before she is deported.
The risk of being expelled / lose his residence basis is often so much to find themselves in the situation and in this way invisible make unreasonable units.
HUSH LITTLE BABY-THEATER on au pair
"Hush little baby" reads a paragraph, put up at Camp X Rialto and plays from 25 February 29 March.
It is presented as "A kammerspil to buy love and care from warmer countries." - Ditte Maria Mountain puts the crunch in the scene, and she has interviewed Phamela on the situation of the Filipino au pairs here in Denmark.
In addition to Danish actors involved a number of Philippine women. These include XX and YY.
Theater is located at Smallegade 2, 2000 Frederiksberg. Would you book a ticket, you can do it on ticket phone 7020 1031 or the BILLETnet in 7015 6565.
Home theater is www.campx.dk
Events!
In Bayanihan Center goes well!! Come and join on our big event. We have 70 members, and we've had a number of well-attended events. What is happening is:
Dec. 06 2008 -------- 12th anniversary and Christmas party
Jan. 02 2009 -------- New Year Salo-salo and Parlor games.
Jan. 23 2009 -------- Awarding ceremony of Outstanding Aupair in Denmark 2008
Awarding Ceremony of Outstanding
Host Family in Denmark 2008.
“Search for Filipino Talent in Denmark.”
May 30 ----------------- Spring fest & “Search for Miss Filipino Denmark 2008”
EMAIL FOR CULTURAL EVENTS
We love to send you a message on cultural events, both here in the Bayanihan Center and in Denmark in general. Will you have a message? Send you and your family's email address to aupair@bayanihan.dk
Tour in Denmark!
Are you interested to join us in our tour with all the nice and known places in Denmark? Bring camera with you and ring us for more details. It will start on February and here’s some places that we need to visit: National Museum, tour at Parliament, Queens’s palace, Little Mermaid, Church where all the kings were buried, Museum of Viking Ships and a lot more.
“WOMEN WITH CHILDREN (Single Mother) welcome as Au Pair
Danish Immigration Service points out those women with children are welcome as au pairs in Denmark. However, they may not take children with them. Many have been the perception that only women without children could come here as au pairs, and it has led many have hidden to the Danish authorities that they are parents. It is thus no reason to hide it.”
BEST FAMILY - PICK OF AU PAIR
The au pair was the best in 2008?
And the family was the best host family?
Give us your thoughts send us with email and we will choose the winner on 2nd of January 2008. Deadline of Submission will be on 2nd of January 2008. Awarding on the said events will be on 23 January 2008 at the ______________.
Will you nominate your au pair? Or your family? And what is it that makes the perfect candidate to the person who wins? Send an email with a justification to aupair@bayanihan.dk
We continue to hear about Filipino au pairs, who are being exploited - and some Filipino who stay here illegally. It harms all au pairs, so I think we need to make sure that everything is regular for itself - and we must simultaneously work to amend the arrangements.
It has at least been very positive to meet both the staff of the Danish Immigration Service and the many trade unionists and politicians who attended the hearing. Newspaper articles have also given positive feedback and Britta Thomsen - EU parliamentarians who have interviewed me for his new book - his book will argue that these unjust conditions changed. It is very encouraging.
It is always a problem that people who wanted to stay here in Denmark, should not be here anymore. But we must find a political solution to it. Every story that can tell about people who are here illegally, damaging all - and presumably also the possibility of finding a political solution.
It gives bad scenario for the families, it does not increase our reputation that we change so quickly. So please, dear politicians, try to create fair conditions for the aupairs too.