Survey: Au pairs earn less than €3 an hour

Over half of au pairs earn less than €3 a hour, according to a survey which says Ireland "has become inextricably linked with cheap childcare and domestic work in the private house."

The pay is so low that an increasing number of au pairs have to rely on free English classes as they can’t afford private tuition, states the “Disposable Workers” report due to be launched in Navan, Co Meath, today.

The study by the Cultúr Migrants Centre found the majority of the young women work more than 50 hours a week for just €100 and has led to calls for more safeguards to stop the exploitation.