Birkbeck Institute for Social Research
'Au Pairing After the Au Pair Scheme' - ESRC Research Project Dissemination Event
Friday 17th October 2014 2.00 – 6.00pm Keynes Library, Room 114, 43 Gordon Square
Au pairs are relied upon by tens of thousands of UK families to do everything from childcare and housework to elder care, pet feeding and waiting at dinner parties. Traditionally thought of as privileged young women who are having fun on a gap year abroad, au pairs have been overlooked in many recent discussions of migrant domestic workers. However, in November 2008 the UK government deregulated au pairing, removing all official guidance about what an au pair could or couldn't do and all protections for au pairs in terms of working hours, pay and living conditions. This event reports on findings from a two-year ESRC funded research project that has investigated the effects of this deregulation. Au pairs are now one of the poorest paid and least protected groups of workers and au pairing is decreasingly distinguishable from other forms of domestic labour and low paid childcare.
Speakers
Bridget Anderson (COMPAS University of Oxford)
Nicky Busch (Birkbeck)
Rosie Cox (Birkbeck)
Helle Stenum (Roskilde University, Denmark)
This event is free and open to all, but booking is essential - book your place here