Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5822

Introduced by REP. Michael L. Romero

EXPLANATORY NOTE

An Au Pair is a domestic assistant from a foreign country working for, and living
as part of, a host family. Typically, au pairs take on a share of the family's
responsibility for childcare as well as some housework, and feceive a
monetary allowance for personal use. Au pair arrangements are subject to
government restrictions which specify an age range usually from mid-late teens
fo mid to late twenties; some countries explicitly limit the arrangement to
females.

Arrangements differ between Europe, where the concept originated, and North
America, In Europe, au pairs are only supposed to work part-time, and they
often also study part-time, generally focusing on the language of the host
country. In the United States, they may provide full-time childcare. In 1969,
the European Agreement on Au Pair Placement was signed, and it came into
force in 1971.

This House Bill seeks to establish an Au Pair Program, that shall create up to
250,000 new jobs for young Filipino Men and Women who will be placed by
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) around the world.


This Au Pair program shall likewise require OWWA to forge agreements with
Countries all over the world to create an Au Pair country to country hosting
program,

Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

J

MICHAEL [{ ROMERO Ph.D
j

/


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5822

HOUSE BILL NO.

—_—-

Introduced by REP. Michael L. Romero
Ss

AN ACT
TO CREATE THE AN “AU PAIR PROGRAM" IN THE COUNTRY, TO
ADOPT A SYSTEMATIC, COMPREHENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE JOB
GENERATING PROGRAM, TO CREATE 250,000 NEW JOBS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative of the
Philippines in congress assembled:

SECTION 1. DECLARATION OF POLICY - II is hereby declared by the state to
create the Philippine Au Pair Program which will include the Training and
Development of Au Pairs, as well as their Placement in the Overseas Market,

This program shall foster to create 250,000 new Jobs and USD $2 Billion in yearly
revenues.

(If the Au Pair Program surpasses 500,000 placed Au Pairs, this should
automatically lead to the creation of the Philippine Au Pair Commission)


SECTION 2. PURPOSE -
The purpose of the au pair scheme is cultural exchange. As au pairs, young
Filipino people aged 18-29 years old, having finished at least secondary
education can improve their language skills and knowledge of any country they
wish by living with a host country family. In return, the au pair performs services
such as light housework and child care for the host family. Being an au-pair is not
the same as being a nanny or a maid.

SECTION 3. DEFINITION OF TERMS -
Au Pair is a French term meaning “on par" or “equal to". It denotes living on an
equal basis in a reciprocal, caring relationship between the host family and the
children.

¢ An au pair is typically a young Filipino placed under a cultural
exchange arrangement with a host family for immersion in cultural

and language training for a maximum of two (2) years.

* Host family refers to the family the au pair will be living with for the
duration of the au pair contract,

SECTION 4. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AU PAIR:

- Share in the usual household chores along with other members of the
family such as: child care. light household chores, and other
responsibilities agreed upon in the au pair contract.

2, Shall take part in the familly life.

3. Shall learn the culture, customs and language of the country. Attend
school to learn the host country’s language.


4. Cary out chores 4 to 8 hours daily.

5. May NOT carry out paid or unpaid work outside of the host family’s
home.

SECTION 5. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE AU PAIR HOST FAMILY:

» Treat the au pair in just and humane manner.

2. Provide food and accommodations to the au pair {separate
bedroom).

3. Provide health and accident insurance.
4. Provide monthly allowance.
5. Pay for school fees.

6,

Shoulder all travel costs related to sponsoring the Filipino au pair:
transportation. visa. POEA processing fee, OWWA membership fee,
cost of training (if required by employer).

7. Not deduct any amount from regular pocket money of the au pair
except compulsory contributions allowed by law.

SECTION 6. TRANSITORY PROVISION — Existing industries, businesses and
offices affected by the implementation of this Act shall be given six (6)
months transitory period from the effectivity of the IRR or such other period
as may be determined by all the departments and agencies concemed,
to comply with the requirements of this Act.

SECTION 7. IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS. - The POEA. OWWA
and all other departments and agencies charged with carrying out the
provisions of this Act shall, within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this


Act, formulate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective
implementation,

SECTION 8. REPEALING CLAUSE. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE. ~ If, for any reason, any section or
provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or
provisions hereof shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE. ~ This Act shall take effect after fifteen
(15) days from its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)
national newspapers of general circulation whichever comes earlier.

Approved,