It's not "leverage" it's about different expectations. You're not hiring professional childminders, the goal is to have someone come and live with you and be more like part of the family. You give them a room, I would expect food, and also pay them. Since in the US you need to go through an agency I don't think it would be a great deal of work.

> ignoring your fellow Americans looking for work because they expect things like benefits and fair pay which cost money.

Almost a quarter are from Germany. Most European countries do not consider America to be somewhere with many employee benefits.

Is $24,000 after room and board an unfair wage? What's the cost of a room in NYC?