What do you think of this idea?

[freakiness]

Asian Nannies at half the price.

An no, it's not an April Fools joke, that articles are dated 29/3.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/asian-nannies-one-answer-to-childcare-costs-20140328-35olr.html#poll

The cost of childcare has been a political bugbear for more than a decade. But a submission to a crucial government inquiry into childcare has come up with a novel solution: low-cost Asian nannies.

The Indonesia Institute, a Perth-based think tank, says carers from countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines should be allowed to come to Australia and mind children for $200 a week to help ease pressure on family budgets.

Families would provide their Asian child carers with accommodation, clothing and medical insurance. The nannies would also be entitled to Sundays off and a return airfare home for two weeks each year.

[mugssy65]

I know a few girls that have traveled the world nannying, free accomidation, food, use of the family car, no bills and a small wage is very attractive to some, especially if the children are school age. Ihavealso heard some horror stories!

[*crikey*mate*]

How does that ease pressure on family budgets?

How much is non subsidized child care these days?

We used Nannies when the kids were small and we were both working in hospitality, so the regular child care operating hours weren't suitable for us, and whilst one was live in (because she lived so far away it was impractical for her to return home each night), we never had to provide her clothes or medical insurance.

I wouldn't object if they could be included on my medical insurance, but there is no way iot could be cost effective to pay for additional single medical insurance on top of the other requirements, so not sire how that scenario could be cost effective.

[the_great_she_elephant]

I don't know what wage is being proposed but Medibank Private basic cover for young singles is $16.37 per week (for those living in NSW it may vary for other States) I wouldn't have thought that was prohibitive extra.

http://www.medibank.com.au/healthcover/singles-insurance/

[freakiness]

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@the_great_she_elephant wrote:

I don't know what wage is being proposed but Medibank Private basic cover for young singles is $16.37 per week (for those living in NSW it may vary for other States) I wouldn't have thought that was prohibitive extra.

http://www.medibank.com.au/healthcover/singles-insurance/

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I wonder if they would be entitled to medicare, as health insurance premiums take the medicare component into account.

This scheme seems slightly racist.

It would have an impact on the wages of existing nannies/in home carers who would be entitled to at least the minimum wage.  

It seems like any excuse to create a greater divide between the lowest and high income earners will do.

[acacia_pycnantha]

That's a real example of how immigration could place a downwards pressure on local domestic wages.

No, if anyone from overseas wants to work here, they should be paid the same as locally sourced labour.

[debra9275]

it sounds like more 457 visas.

What is our country becoming?? In countries like Singapore and Hong Kong. people from Vietnam and the Philipines work as cleaners, house staff etc.

When I was last in Hong Kong there was outrage about a school accepting Vietnamese chidren, the locals were all going to pull their children out

I was surprised at the racism there

[polksaladallie]

Already motels, hotels, nursing homes etc, have an abundance of these visa holders, I see this as just an extension of this policy.

Some of them don't enjoy their work (to the detriment of others), so it stands to reason the same will occur. 

[i-need-a-martini]

But unlike 457, these nannies would not be paid award wages.

The idea is on the next rung down from slave labour.

[freakiness]

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@i-need-a-martini wrote:

But unlike 457, these nannies would not be paid award wages.

The idea is on the next rung down from slave labour.

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It will damage the local nanny industry for sure and basically give those with spare rooms cheap child care while the rest still have to pay big dollars for it.  Plus it will further drive down wages for those already on low wages.

Some obviously don't place a lot of value on those who care for the children.