Arguing that the country’s needs for unskilled labour must be covered by EEA countries, Norway has decided to terminate the au pair scheme for third-country nationals starting March 15 this year.
Through a statement, Norway’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security confirmed the termination of the Norwegian au pair scheme that permits young people from other countries to live with a host family in this country for a specific period in order to learn about Norwegian culture and language while helping with childcare and light household obligations.
The liquidation is in line with the principle that, as a general rule, the need for unskilled labour must be covered from the EEA area. The liquidation means that third-country nationals can no longer be granted residence in Norway as au pairs.
However, the Ministry confirmed that it is still possible to bring in au pairs or interns from the EEA area, in line with the normal EEA regulations of free movement.
The decision means that applications registered after March 15 will not be accepted. Au pairs who already have residence in Norway or who have registered an electronic application online or booked an appointment to submit a complete application for a residence permit no later than March 15 are eligible to obtain a residence permit in this country as an au pair for up to two years from the initial permit being granted.
According to the Ministry, the current measures to protect au pairs from abuse will continue as long as there are internationals with valid au pair permits in this country.
It is important to us that the au pairs who are still left in Norway should have as good protection against abuse and exploitation as before until their stay is over.
Plans to scrap the au pair scheme were unfolded in March last year by authorities in this country. Back then, the former Labour Minister, Marte Mjøs Persen, said that the program became a loophole in the system to import cheap labour.
We want to have proper working conditions for everyone, also when the work occurs in the home. Even though many au pair live well with their host families, the program has also become a loophole to get cheap workers.”
The former labour minister added that the time when the au pair program was seen as “a cultural exchange is over.”
