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After 15 years, the Philippines yesterday announced that it is lifting its ban on “au pairs” for all European countries as it was able to craft improved safety nets and protection policies for Filipinos who will be hired for the job.

An au pair, a French term meaning “on par” or “equal to,” is a temporary domestic assistant working for and living as part of a host family. Au pairs, who are between 18 to 30 years old, unmarried and without children, normally perform house work and child care and receive monetary allowance from their host families. They are placed under a cultural exchange arrangement with a European host family for a maximum stay of two years, unless otherwise allowed by host countries.