Title: The Human Exploitation Act Fails to Convict Perpetrators of Exploitation at Work
Subtitle: Hidden Figures Surface as the Swedish Government Struggles to Address Exploitation of Au Pairs
Date: [Current Date]
The Human Exploitation Act, implemented on 1 July 2018 to protect individuals from workplace exploitation, has only resulted in one conviction thus far, according to the newspaper Arbetet. However, this does not indicate that the crime is uncommon.
Sofia Gustafsson, an investigator at the national coordination against prostitution and human trafficking at the Equality Authority, emphasizes the challenge in estimating the scope of the issue due to the lack of aggregate statistics. Gustafsson suggests that the number of unreported cases may be substantial, as victims often refrain from reporting the crime to the authorities.
A recent verdict from the Gothenburg district court shed light on the exploitation faced by two Filipino women. The court found that these women were subjected to “obviously unreasonable” working conditions and were denied the right to a normal private life. One of the women was officially employed at a restaurant owned by the family, while the other had a residence permit as an au pair. In reality, both women worked as live-in nannies for the family, often working around the clock.
Gustafsson highlights the likelihood of hidden exploitation within the au pair system. She points out that authorities are aware that such exploitation occurs within the au pair sector, but the specifics are challenging to ascertain.
Notably, the Philippines has experienced a sharp increase in the number of individuals granted residence permits as au pairs in Sweden. In 2010, only five Filipino citizens were issued such permits, but by 2022, the number had surged to 247, accounting for more than half of all permits granted. Additionally, prior reports from Svenska Dagbladet demonstrated how families with children utilize Filipino au pairs to access cheap labor within their homes, where similar abuses to those in the recent verdict were identified. However, the Swedish Migration Agency lacks information on the root cause behind the substantial increase in Filipino au pairs.
Johan Hasselmark, the head of the crime-fighting group and national violence center at the National Operational Department, acknowledges that only a few cases of human exploitation linked to au pair activities have been exposed. Nonetheless, he states that recent tips and reports suggest a potential increase in such cases. Hasselmark emphasizes that fear often prevents victims from reporting the crimes, making it challenging to gather evidence on these incidents.
Nevertheless, Gustafsson believes that increased efforts will lead to more criminal cases related to exploitation being discovered. The Equality Authority has dedicated more resources to identify individuals subjected to such exploitation.
The au pair program involves temporary stay with a family, offering compensations for light housework and childcare while aiming to enhance language abilities and knowledge of Sweden. However, individuals granted permission to work as an au pair cannot function as full-time nannies or domestic helpers. Non-EU citizens require a residence permit to work as an au pair.
To be eligible for a residence permit, individuals must be between 18 and 30 years of age during the decision-making process. The au pair is restricted to working a maximum of 25 hours per week, focusing on childcare and light housework. Additionally, proficiency in Swedish is mandatory during the majority of their stay in Sweden. Employers must provide room and board along with cash compensation, which should amount to at least 10 percent of the price base amount, equivalent to SEK 4,830.
Source: Swedish Migration Agency
In conclusion, the Human Exploitation Act’s limited success in convicting perpetrators of exploitation at work highlights the challenges in addressing this issue adequately. The recent verdict from the Gothenburg district court sheds light on the exploitation faced by au pairs, particularly those from the Philippines. The increase in Filipino au pairs and the difficulty in gathering evidence due to victims’ fear contribute to the hidden nature of the problem. Nevertheless, increased efforts by the Equality Authority and other agencies aim to uncover more cases and protect individuals affected by exploitation.