Filipino au pairs dont get paid, go for black work.

Byline: Tessi Cruz-Larsen, Contributor

ODENSE, DENMARKDESPITE THE existing ban on the deployment of female au pairs, the number of Filipino nannies here has increased tremendously. Concerns are now being raised that many are resorting to illegal work to augment their monthly allowances.

Au pairs in Denmark are entitled to a monthly allowance of 2,500 kroners, or about P20,000, with free board and lodging. They are expected to carry out daily chores for three to five hours a day, six days per week or a maximum of 30 hours a week. The Danish government, however, does not consider the daily chores of an au pair as work, hence, they get allowance instead of salary and are issued residence permit instead of work permit.

To augment their monthly allowance many au pairs are willing to work extra hours and get paid under the table. A Filipina who was …