A COMMUNITY group leader is to investigate claims Polish workers in Kidderminster are being exploited.

Among alleged abuses of the workers are underpayment and illegal overcrowding in accommodation.

Mike Oborski, Polish Consul for the West Midlands and a Wyre Forest district councillor, expressed his concern over "the growing number of allegations concerning the exploitation of Polish workers in the Kidderminster area".

He added: "The allegations relate to housing, pay and terms of employment."

Mr Oborski, a Wyre Forest district councillor, explained: "We have become aware of incidents of illegal overcrowding in rented rooms by unscrupulous landlords."

He added the workers were being shortchanged in their wages and another issue was workers being paid for less hours than they have worked.

Mr Oborski went on: "It is extremely difficult to estimate how many people are affected because they are worried about losing the jobs and accommodation."

He is meeting district council housing officers and police representatives on Monday to discuss the problems. He said: "The police and council have both been extremely helpful and are keen to take action, wherever appropriate."

He added: "Nothing should disguise the fact that the overwhelming majority of Poles who have come to work in the Kidderminster area in recent months have been made extremely welcome and treated very well, indeed.

"The vast majority of them are highly enthusiastic about Kidderminster."