Au pair awarded over €9,000 in ‘landmark’ judgment

The au pair was awarded €9,229 after the family was found to have breached aspects of the National Minimum Wage Act, the Organisation of Working Time Act, and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act.

The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) supported the au pair to take the case.

Virginija Petrauskaite, legal officer at MRCI, said: “This judgment sends a very clear message: au pairs are workers, and any family employing an au pair must abide by employment laws – including the National Minimum Wage Act.

“The au pair at the centre of this case was paid just €100 a week. Unfortunately, her case is not an exception; in fact we know many au pairs whose treatment was much, much worse.

“The work done by au pairs and other childcare providers is absolutely essential to families, communities and the economy, and this landmark decision and award is a clear statement that it has value.”

She added: “The new government must ensure au pairs and families are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities, and must urgently crack down on the many au pair agencies advertising illegal working conditions to employers and workers alike. These recruitment agencies are breaking the law and misleading both families and au pairs. Families must know that au pairs are workers like any others.”

In a statement, the au pair said: “With this judgment I feel respected for my work at last. That’s what through the Migrant Rights Centre and the decision of the Workplace Commission I have been able to obtain: respect and credibility. And it is proof of the important work being done by au pairs and domestic workers to get our rights.

“I would say that it is very important for everyone to become aware of this situation, and I hope that au pairs will no longer be exploited as cheap labour.”