Cultural exchange program?

Cultural exchange program?

In response to the advertisement AU-PAIR in Europe in The
Jakarta Post, on May 11, 2001, page 16, I, as a housewife who has
an experience as an au pair girl in Europe, would like to express
my concern over this issue.

As far as I am concerned, the au pair program is a form of
inter-cultural exchange in which the person in question is given
an opportunity to learn the language and culture of the country
she is in.

She lives with a certain family (who accepts her) in return
for doing light work (normally baby-sitting, with a 20 hour
working week). For that purpose, usually there is an institution
(often a social agency) that protects and makes arrangements for
the rights and obligations of the person and the family
concerned.

An au pair girl is obviously not a maid. Your ad requires one
"who has experience as a maid".

Those who are interested can contact a certain person
(telephone number and e-mail address published in advertisement).

I fear that the meaning of "au pair" has been misunderstood or
misinterpreted. My other concern is: to what extent are these
people protected, given that many of the maids working overseas
are inhumanely treated? Recently, human trafficking and smuggling
have been rife.

The impact of the economic crisis has not abated and as a
result, many ignorant people may be easily lured to work abroad.
Instead of being empowered, these people are likely to fall
victim to tricks.

MAGDALENA SITORUS

Jakarta