Is there some law about Au Pairs and how long they're supposed to work?

[plug]

My lovely cleaner (aged 18) is an au pair for another family. Dad works away a lot and Mum runs her own business - they have three kids. Au pair has been doing more and more childcare, culminating in being left in sole charge of all three children over the whole Bank Holiday weekend .

Is there anything she can do apart from leave? I feel very sorry that she's being exploited like this.

You know what ticks me off is when people say cleaners make more money than childcarers. How many houses can you clean at at time? One! And does anyone pay someone to clean their house 40 hours per week?

I could go on and on, but I best bite my tongue and go away now...

I think £100 plus room plus board (especially considering the current cost of energy) for someone who barely speaks the language is actually not such a bad deal.

Oh, and 30 hours per week is a part time job. Perhaps she could get another one and double her income?

Agree with science teacher - there are no victims, only volunteers.......................

Market forces plays a big part in au pair remuneration. Everytime I advertise for a new au pair, I get hundreds of applications. I put the pocket money in my advert - which is £70 for 25 hours, £90 for 35 hours with the usual au pair arrangement.

I could easily drop my rates and still get girls throwing themselves at us.