Source: Zaman
Working mothers experience their biggest nightmare when their maternity leave ends and they have to return to work. On one hand, the mother is separated from her child, and on the other hand, she faces the caregiver issue. If someone close can take care of the child, the responsibility is somewhat alleviated. However, those who do not have this chance have to deal with the problem of finding a reliable caregiver.
Serpil Uyar, who works in the press sector, explains that she couldn't even enjoy her pregnancy due to the caregiver stories she heard from her friends. Starting her search for a caregiver long before giving birth, all of Serpil Hanım's efforts have been in vain. The young mother, who postponed her search until after birth, describes her experiences: “The last days of my maternity leave felt like a nightmare. My husband and I told everyone around us that we were looking for a caregiver, but we couldn't find anyone with the qualities we were looking for. Later, with the help of a friend, we got in touch with a woman from Turkmenistan who had previously worked as a caregiver. However, we couldn't afford the amount she wanted. As a last resort, we temporarily called my mother-in-law from my hometown. It has been 4 months since I returned to work, and we are still looking for a caregiver.”
Nuray Demir, who has her own business, complains about caregivers leaving shortly after starting. Having to look for a new one because her first caregiver, whom she was very satisfied with, got married, Demir says, “Just when my children are getting used to and starting to love their caregiver, a problem arises and the woman leaves. I ignore most problems just so my children don't experience this trauma.”
FINDING A GOOD CAREGIVER IS HARDER THAN FINDING GOLD ON THE ROAD
Zeynep Çiçek, who finds it very difficult to go to work leaving her twins behind, has returned to work earlier than planned due to her boss's insistence. She states that her mother took care of her daughters until they turned one, and when her mother could no longer keep up with the children, she started looking for a caregiver. “But I found that finding a good caregiver is harder than finding gold on the road. Because I didn't just want someone to look after them. I wanted someone who loves children, communicates well, plays with them, and enjoys being with them. I expected her to be a role model for my children and to align with my family values to a certain extent,” says Çiçek, who temporarily escaped the crisis with the support of her mother-in-law.
Teacher Hilal Ak, who gave birth to her second child 2 months ago, is among the few who are satisfied with their caregiver. Grateful for her situation as she sees her friends struggling with caregiver issues, Ak states, “My friends are having such big problems in this regard that I started to live in great fear of what would happen if my caregiver leaves. First, I got her insured, then I increased her salary.”
In recent years, Uzbek, Turkmen, and even Filipino caregivers have become popular among families. Their overnight stay, educational background, and foreign language skills are among the main reasons for their preference. Sibel Akdeniz, who found an Uzbek caregiver through a consulting company because she comes home late, shares: “Unfortunately, due to my job, I come home late during the week. I also have to travel for work frequently on weekends. Therefore, it was essential for me to find a live-in caregiver. However, none of the Turkish caregivers accepted live-in positions. I had to agree with an Uzbek woman. Her demeanor is not really to my liking, but since there are no alternatives, I have to accept many things.”
Despite all the needs, childcare is not considered a standalone sector. According to Vural Şeker, President of the Istanbul Private Employment Agencies Association (İÖİBD), there are 358 private employment agencies in Turkey. Eighty percent of these agencies operate in Istanbul. There are about 70 private employment agencies in Istanbul that specialize in domestic services. Şeker explains that almost all companies in the household category also provide staff for roles such as nannies and playmates, stating, “However, there are not many firms that specialize solely in childcare. Therefore, the market still needs a few competitors specialized in this field.” Caregiver prices vary according to the job description, expectations, and the candidate's characteristics. Şeker explains that they categorize caregivers as local and foreign, stating, “Salaries for Turkish staff start at 1500 TL plus transportation fees for daytime work. For live-in staff, this price rises to 2500 TL. For foreign staff from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, and Moldova, it ranges from 700-800 dollars, while for Filipino staff, it ranges from 1000-1500 dollars.”
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