Au-pairs

[onkko]

I want to make sure everyone understand this.

You dont "hire" au-pair.
Au-pair dont work for you.

Au-pair is cultural exchange program where one do help on daily stuff but he/she isnt employed, he/she exchanges his modest help for cultural exchange.
You have to pay "pocket money", provide housing, insurance, upkeep etc. and provide cultural exchange like finnish language lessons.
In exchange au-pair takes care of reasonable amount of chores like your own child would.

If things doest fit on that then its not au-pair but hired nanny and one needs residence permit and there is different laws about that.

I know au-pair is different in other countries but in finland, for reason, didnt accept that. In here its cultural exchange not for cheap slave labour.

[onkko]

The term "aupair" is thrown around on this board often but since many people who post here are not fluent in English, I believe they use the term simply because they don't know the word "child minder" or "babysitter". It's most likely a matter of semantics.

I know and thats why i wanted to make clear its not synonym. And by law its not sematics, its difference between X years in jail or legit thing.
I do support au pair thing and do want it to continue so i dont like people who use it wrong ways.

[asanda]

Au pairs still need a residence permit, and tax card, and they do pay tax on the "pocket money" if their placement is longer than 6 months. And, yes they are not full time nannies or babysitters. Generally an au pair will only work 25 - 30 hours a week and must have an interest in learning about the Finnish language and culture. All meals and board are included in the placement.

I am currently an au pair in East Finland for 10 months.

[cors187]

its like cutting calander time out of your sum life span.
But having said that , i look forward to a time where i have no time, business is booming,life is full of details. THis would be a good time to use the average hopeful to clean and teach them my finnish culture.