By Andrew Jarret

AN ANGUS fruit business which has grown from a small family concern into part of a leading UK consortium in the production of strawberries and raspberries in the last few years said yesterday that one of the keys to its success was a happy and motivated workforce.

East Seaton Farm in Arbroath has become one of the area’s largest employers, typically accommodating around 300 migrant workers in Arbroath alone at the height of the season.

The influx of migrant workers from eastern Europe in recent times has not been without its problems, but claims that foreign students are treated little better than modern day slaves are strongly denied.

“There will always be one or two people who are not happy, but in the main I would say that 99.9% of the people we have here are satisfied with their work and conditions,” said managing director Lochy Porter.

“I would also say that goes for the majority of farms in this area, not just our own business.”

Mr Porter said he was happy to make this claim in the knowledge other farms would have to undergo the same stringent auditing processes as his own.

“Every single aspect of the business has to be accounted for. We are ethically audited each year and the last thing we want is an unhappy workforce because, at the end of the day, that would affect productivity,” he said.

Mr Porter and his staff welcomed local councillor Bob Spink to East Seaton yesterday on a fact-finding visit. He wanted to see living and working conditions after local claims that foreign workers in Scotland were often forced to pay for sub-standard accommodation.

There are 57 static residential caravans for workers at East Seaton, each with its own toilet, shower and kitchen.

Field manager Allen Innes said that all are subject to gas and electrical tests once a week.

“The accommodation is mixed but we try to keep nationalities and friends together,” he said.

“The students are responsible for their own hygiene, and some are obviously tidier than others. We try not to invade their privacy too much, but cabins are inspected on a regular basis.”

Workers at East Seaton pay £35 a week for their accommodation, which includes cleaning of communal areas, an internet cafe and laundry. In addition, the farm has a recreational area offering pool, table tennis, volleyball, football, a disco and a gym.

Mr Porter said there was nothing stopping Scottish people doing the job, and there was a local woman working alongside the students.

Pickers are paid slightly above the national minimum wage, and top workers can earn up to £100 a day during their 61/2-hour shift. Typically, most earn around £275-£300 a week.

“It is important the people who come to work in this industry understand the type of work involved,” added Mr Porter. “That is something that needs to be communicated very clearly at the outset from the agencies who recruit the workers.”

The workforce at East Seaton is largely recruited through the HOPS (Harvesting Opportunities Permit Scheme).

A high percentage return each year.

“We have a few students who are here for their fifth year,” said Mr Innes. “It is not uncommon for those coming back to bring friends with them next time.”

Artur Cialowicz (24) from Poland said he enjoyed working at East Seaton. “Three years I have come here and I think I will be back again next year.”

Fellow Pole Kamila Kaczmarek (23) added, “We want to work and we can make good money here. We will come back and take friends with us.”

Mr Spink said, “The first thing that strikes me when talking to the workers at East Seaton, almost exclusively east European, is how content they appear and how positively they talk about Arbroath, the people they have met, and the job they have chosen.

“Most of these young people are students who travel to Angus to earn some money and enjoy a new experience, probably intending to come only once—but very often end up coming again and again, and usually to the same farm,” he said.

“Many indeed have made their home in Arbroath and are integrating fully into the community.

“It is true that there are areas where some improvements could be made, but nothing is ever perfect, and as long as these mainly minor issues are recognised and addressed then that surely is acceptable.

“The crucial elements of fire safety, health and hygiene, pay and conditions were all in place and regularly audited, not only by national bodies such as HOPS but by their super- market customers—who I know from experience can be very demanding.

“I believe there are about 5000 eastern Europeans working in Angus, all making a valuable contribution to the Angus economy, directly though their taxes and spend in local shops, and indirectly through the success of the farms who employ them, who supply most of the UK’s major multiple retailers.”

Mr Spink said that his visit to East Seaton had given him a valuable insight into an important industry and, with an “open door” invitation, answered all of the questions he had.

“As in any business sector there are the good and the not so good, and this was but a snapshot on one farm,” he said.

“My conclusion is that, having seen the enthusiasm and commitment of the senior management of East Seaton, and their pride in what they do, I have seen one of the better operations, and I thank them for their openness.”