Who What does the daily work routine of au pairs look like? Under what conditions do they work in Germany? And how do au pairs organize themselves to improve the value of their care work?
In this episode, we speak with Maria and Janet from Bloque Latinoamericano Berlin. Janet shares her experiences as an au pair and care worker, explaining how she initially wanted to support other au pairs online on her own before discovering Bloque Latinoamericano. Maria shows us how au pairs organize themselves and what challenges and structural problems they face. They both take us into their community and world, showing us what we in Saxony can learn from them and what would improve their working and living conditions.
We learn about the care work of au pairs, which is romanticized and euphemistically described as "cultural exchange"—while au pairs, mostly migrant women, often have to work long hours and receive only €280 in pocket money. Together, we examine how these care workers cope with and overcome feelings of isolation, what they need, and where feminists and unions from the Global North urgently need to focus their attention to transform this isolated struggle into a more collective one.
The news also covers the wage negotiations for state and local public transport workers, and the workload of teachers in Saxony. In the Vision segment, Clara introduces Sonti* eV – an association from Leipzig.
Want to give us feedback? Then write to us: care@knoe.org
Intro
Central contact point for victims of discrimination in Saxony
Advice center in Dresden: Foreigners' Council
Study: Au pairs in Germany and worldwide. Developments and trends in the German au pair system. (Dr. Walter, 2025)
Article: How au pairs live in Germany
News
GEW Saxony: Study removes all basis from the package of measures
MDR: Study reveals the time wasters and actual working hours of teachers in Saxony
Interview
Maria and Janet are involved with Bloque Latinoamericano Berlin, particularly with the "Trabajo Migrante" (Migrant Work) group. Within this group, they focus on the working conditions of migrants from Abya Yala living in Berlin and how these conditions can be improved. Bloque members also travel throughout Germany to support migrants in various locations in building groups and initiatives.
One focus of their work is on networking and empowering former and current au pairs.
Vision
Sonti* eV
Music
Rihanna: Work
Scott Holmes Music: Positive and Fun https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/
Tim Taj: Upbeat Happy https://freemusicarchive.org/music/timtaj/positive-corporate-music/upbeat-happy/
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Funded by the Heidehof Foundation, the Anstiftung Foundation, the Foundation for Human Dignity and Work, and the Saxon State Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality. This project is co-financed by tax revenue based on the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.
However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Saxon State Ministry of Justice and for Democracy, Europe and Equality. The State Ministry cannot be held responsible for them.
© 2025. This work is openly licensed via CC BY-NC 4.0 DEED
