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COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 20 December 1984

concerning a European Agreement on au pair placement sponsored by the Council of Europe

(85/64/EEC)

I

1. Ever-increasing numbers of young people are travelling abroad to work 'au pair', thereby contributing towards international understanding through the acquisition of knowledge of other languages and cultures.

2. There are considerable differences between Community Member States as regards the degree of protection afforded to persons using the au pair placement system; this gives rise to various problems due to lack of adequate information for those concerned (persons placed au pair and host families) and lack of specific uniform provisions.

3. The alignment of national measures in respect of persons placed au pair would improve the living and working conditions, education and reception of such persons, thus putting into effect the general aims of the Treaty to promote close cooperation between Member States in the social field.

4. Persons placed au pair constitute a special category which has features of both the worker and student categories. It is therefore appropriate to adopt special provisions in their regard.

The Commission of the European Communities has taken note of the European Agreement on au pair placement sponsored by the Council of Europe. The Commission believes that this Agreement provides a suitable vehicle for introducing, at European level, a specific status for persons placed au pair and laying down rules governing living and working conditions, education, social security and the rights and duties of the host family, in addition to setting up national consultation and information facilities.

II

Accordingly, and pursuant to the second indent of Article 155 of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, the Commission, bearing in mind that Article 118 of the Treaty entrusts the Commission with the task of promoting close cooperation between Member States in the social field, particularly in matters relating to labour law and working conditions, recommends that the Member States sign and ratify as soon as possible, in so far as they have not already done so, the European Agreement on au pair of the Council of Europe.

The Member States will inform the Commission as soon as possible of steps taken in conformity with this recommendation.

Done at Brussels, 20 December 1984.

For the Commission

Ivor RICHARD

Member of the Commission