Ban on Filipino 'au pairs' in Europe lifted

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday the ban on Filipino "au pairs" bound for all European countries has been lifted following the issuance of new guidelines to protect their rights.

Au pair is a term used to describe a domestic assistant from a foreign country, like the Philippines, working for, and living as part of, a host family for a maximum period of two years. Au pair schemes are subject to government restrictions of the host country.

The new guidelines will facilitate the departure of the au pairs and provide them safety nets and protection, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

The guidelines were drafted and agreed upon by the ad-hoc technical working group composed of the Foreign Affairs, Labor and Education departments, as well as the Bureau of Immigration, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and the Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO).

"Under the guidelines, procedures for the departure of au pairs have been simplified and documentary requirements down to the minimum," the Foreign Affairs department, the lead agency in formulating policies on the au pair scheme, said.

For the protection of the au pairs, a strict monitoring system will be put in Philippine embassies and consulates general in Europe.

According to the new guidelines, departing au pairs would only need to submit the following documents to the Immigration bureau: a contract of engagement duly authenticated by the Philippine embassy or consulate general in the area of destination, a valid passport with au pair visa and a CFO certificate or sticker.

The au pairs would not need to go through the Labor department's and POEA's procedures unlike in the past since they will not be considered overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The ban on au pairs was imposed in 1998 stemming from isolated cases of abuse of the system in some European countries.

In 2010, the ban was lifted for Switzerland, Norway and Denmark. (CVB/Sunnex)