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Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Original poster

nanny/maid not treated right

108 replies

nannyuk · 18/07/2015 10:45

Hi i am not really sure what i am after by posting here but i think i just need to vent. i work as a holiday nanny so i either go on holiday with a family to look after the children or i look after children that come on holiday to london.

The family that i have just started working for also have a maid/ nanny.
The maid has 5 child back in her home country and she was purchased by the family so she is not employed. She told me she is not paid at all and is on call 24/7 even has the youngest children sleep in her bed plus she has to keep the house tidy. I feel really bad for her :/ I have been working with her for a little while and she gets really happy if i do small things such as buy her a drink/ some lunch. She says that i am the kindest person she has ever met. Even the children treat her like dirt. (i am trying to fix that while i am with them) I really don't know what to do or even if there is anything i can do. just wanted to let it out and see if anyone had any ideas

OP posts:
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bestguess23 · 18/07/2015 21:35

That's a very generous thing to do. I am sure she will be eternally grateful to you. Did she manage to get her passport etc?

ManicPixieDream · 18/07/2015 21:35

Oh my goodness! Glad you got her out of there. We'll done OP. Star

ManicPixieDream · 18/07/2015 21:36

*well

Original poster
nannyuk · 18/07/2015 22:23

no she didnt get her passport. The embassy said that because it was her home country they will make an exception. i think they were giving her a temp pass. The children will be flying home with the mum tomorrow

OP posts:
Alanna1 · 18/07/2015 22:35

Did you contact southall black sisters or the other links you were given? People who are trafficked here can make asylum claims if they may be at risk on return and/or just get a period of time here whilst they adjust to going home. Modern slavery is outrageous.

Original poster
nannyuk · 18/07/2015 22:36

no i didn't in the end. but i did leave her the details. I was just trying to do the best thing as quickly as i could

OP posts:
bestguess23 · 18/07/2015 22:38

Is it worth a second call to the police? They did after all traffic a woman to work as a slave into the UK so they have broken UK law. As she is now in the care of the embassy you may get a better response.

Original poster
nannyuk · 18/07/2015 22:39

i don't think they are likely to do anything now

OP posts:
bestguess23 · 18/07/2015 22:45

Nannyuk if you don't mind saying which police station did you contact? Or was it the non emergency number? I have given my db a link to this thread and he is calling his sergeant to see if they can/should do anything. He is very surprised by the response you got and is uncomfortable with it.

Original poster
nannyuk · 18/07/2015 22:46

paddington green police station

OP posts:
bestguess23 · 18/07/2015 22:48

Thanks, that's a huge help

MiscellaneousAssortment · 19/07/2015 02:53

Wow that happened fast. How long had you known her before this london holiday? I wonder how close you have to be to someone to tell them you're a slave? Or is it a tell everyone who will listen type of thing?

Anyway I'm so glad she got away. I don't understand why the police didn't get involved though :(

Aridane · 19/07/2015 08:19

Well done, OP - and what a lovely partner you have.

Bestguess23 - am interested in your comments and DB follow up

beeny · 19/07/2015 08:27

Wow so impressed by what you are doing.Well done

insancerre · 19/07/2015 08:31

Well done op
I've been to Saudi and it was a very uncomfortable experience most of the time. Some people were great but its very different to the uk

Cric · 19/07/2015 08:40

What an amazing thing to do for someone

bestguess23 · 19/07/2015 09:24

Hi all, he won't be able to tell me anything about what is happening. I strongly suspect, although I don't know, that the decision will be taken by people above him and depend on how much/how quickly they can get information. He was horrified though and very surprised at the response.

Misssss · 19/07/2015 17:08

NannyUk you're incredible. A few years ago I worked as a holiday nanny to a Saudi family and they had a Phillipina nanny in a very similar situation. They did pay her but outrageously low amounts. Approx £20pw for almost 24/7 cover. She fortunately married and was able to leave but they refused to hand over her passport.

It's an issue that needs tackling. I'm so pleased that it worked out for your friend.

mimishimmi · 20/07/2015 03:07

I hate to ask because everyone on this thread believes the nanny's story but did you make sure that it checked out? Not sure how you would have done that of course but I wouldn't mind betting the nanny is back in Saudi within the year, working for someone else and hoping someone else like you comes along...

larant · 20/07/2015 07:57

Slaves are common in Saudi.

lagirafe · 20/07/2015 08:16

I think it's very plausible....

I also know for sure it's normal practice for the "owners" to take the passport and keep it.

She would have required the employers permission to leave Saudi so I think it would be very hard for her to enter Saudi again on a new passport even if she wanted to.

I doubt the employers are best pleased she has disappeared as they "own" her so they'll probably report to the authorities that she's absconded and if she ever re-enters she will be returned to them.

Sadly this is very common in KSA and this woman has found herself very lucky to be here in the UK and been able to escape.

Original poster
nannyuk · 20/07/2015 10:46

Hi for everyone asking if i believe her story. I really do i think she was so relieved and grateful. If she does end up back in saudi she will be punished severely and send straight back to the family. If she can sort stuff out and get a small job back home she should be ok.

OP posts:
bestguess23 · 20/07/2015 11:41

Does she have contact details for you to let you know she got home?

Original poster
nannyuk · 20/07/2015 12:01

she does but i am not sure if she has a phone.

OP posts:
OstentatiousBreastfeeder · 20/07/2015 12:18

It's very fortunate you were able to help her so quickly and everything was so speedily resolved. Unbelievably fortunate.

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