Swedish au pair system exploited as families bypass rules
A Swedish public broadcaster investigation has revealed that families are circumventing regulations to exploit au pairs, prompting calls for urgent government action. Social Democrats and the Left Party have criticised the system, which they say has been abused to provide cheap labour rather than cultural exchange.
Social Democratic migration policy spokesperson Ida Karkiainen told SVT Nyheter that the cases uncovered were “incredibly shocking” and raised serious questions about the entire system.
“No one should be exploited in Sweden’s labour market,” Karkiainen said. “Under EU law, the system can and should be properly regulated to prevent abuse. The government cannot evade responsibility—it must act swiftly to tighten conditions and stop this exploitation.”
Au pairs report 15-hour shifts and sham contracts
Filipino au pairs have described working 15-hour days, being given fake contracts, and being forced to work for two families simultaneously. The system, originally intended to promote cultural exchange, has instead become a way for Swedish families to access low-cost childcare, critics argue.
Left Party labour market spokesperson Ciczie Weidby called the situation “unworthy of Sweden,” accusing the government of effectively subsidising childcare for wealthy families at the expense of vulnerable workers.
“This is about subsidies for the upper class so others can take care of their children,” Weidby said. She criticised Migration Minister Johan Forssell (Moderates) for downplaying the issue, saying his response suggested he did not consider it a major problem.
Over 400 permits granted annually
The Swedish Migration Agency has approved more than 400 au pair permits per year for non-EU applicants, with the majority coming from the Philippines. While Forssell acknowledged that abuse must be addressed, he maintained that the system “generally fulfils its purpose as a cultural exchange.”
Karkiainen countered that existing EU regulations allow for stricter oversight and demanded immediate government intervention to prevent further exploitation.