I HAVE watched and read with interest recent comments and letters regarding migrant workers and feel a few points need clarifying.

I would say that 90 per cent of "migrant" workers employed in the harvesting of soft fruits and vegetables in and around our two counties are seasonal agricultural workers (SAWS).

These are university students from the former Eastern European counties who have been coming to the UK under a Government operated scheme for more than 50 years.

They are not exploited and have to be paid at least the minimum wage (£4.50 per hour) and this is monitored very closely by the organisations (Concordia and HOPS part of the YFC movement) that source these students for growers.

A large proportion of these students are studying agriculture in their own countries and find the experience of working in the UK invaluable.

As far as displacing the Romany population, as stated in a recent letter and forcing them on the dole, were they not already on the dole and picking fruit to subsidise this and how many growers now get Romany's looking for work? None.

Sadly, the point that everyone seems to miss is that the aim of most growers is to produce food, which everyone seems happy to buy not giving a thought for the workers in Spain, Africa or where else it is sourced from.

Yes we do want to make a profit, I won't deny that, but we are not money-grabbing exploiters.

A GREEN,

Mathon, near Malvern.

n ALTHOUGH George has a perfect relationship with Shirley, he does seem to fall foul of other ladies who get annoyed at his little daily inserts within this page.

I enjoy his snippets and his name is the first one I seek out in the columns. His views are often controversial, but show that he is well-read.

Over-exposure must annoy some, but George seems so innocent and honest.

He has become a local character, something that is lacking in this fast-moving society and through opening up his life to us, this lonely man has invited us into his home.

Keep it up, George.

JOE WALTER,

St John's, Worcester.