Indonesians who paid thousands to work on UK farm fired within weeks

Indonesian workers who paid thousands of pounds to travel to Britain and pick fruit at a farm supplying most big supermarkets have been sent home within weeks for not picking fast enough.

- Emily Dugan

One worker said he had sold his family's land as well as his and his parents' motorbikes to cover the more than £2,000 cost of coming to Britain in May and was distressed to find himself jobless with few possessions.

The labour exploitation watchdog is investigating allegations that he was one of several workers charged illegal fees of up to £1,100 by an Indonesian organisation claiming it would get them to the UK faster.

In Indonesia the worker earned about £100 a month selling food. He said his parents were "very disappointed" as he had sold everything for a shot at helping his family. "I feel confused and mad and angry about this situation," he said. "I have no job in Indonesia [and] I've spent all my money to come to the UK."

The Guardian has spoken to four of the dismissed workers and in three cases seen evidence of apparent fee payments to a third party as well as more than £1,000 sent for flights and visas to the licensed recruiters.

The allegations of illegal fees paid in Indonesia raise questions about the risk of exploitation in the seasonal worker scheme, which allows workers from foreign countries a six-month visa to work on farms but makes them bear all the financial risk.

The Guardian understands the immigration minister, Seema Malhotra, will look into exploitation in the work visa system to clamp down on exploitative practices.

The independent Migration Advisory Committee recommended last Monday that seasonal visas should continue to ensure food security but should include more protections, such as guaranteeing at least two months of work.