Question by Left Hand Black:
Can a host family legally withhold pay from an Au Pair over bedbugs?
I have a friend who is working as an Au Pair here in USA for $ 4 an hour. Her host family found bedbugs in her room (after staying there for one year). The family has said the payment for the extermination of the bedbugs is her responsibility and are withholding her pay for the bill. Is this legal? She agreed to pay, but under great duress.
Best answer:
Answer by Drixnot
not legally
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No, they cannot. The au pair needs to immediately seek her agency , they might help to find another host family, Unfortunately, other than rematching, there is not a lot to do to help the au pair. They have barely no rights in this aw full program.
ps- Trust me, dont waste your time going to dept. of Labor. Au pairs are not american citizens and are under a special contract. Best thing for her is to find another host family, or go home.
It’s not legal to pay her $ 4 an hour either. Minimum wage is $ 7.25 unless you are in a profession that gets tips like a waitress or bartender (Au Pair is not one of those professions).