An asparagus grower from Linne in Limburg has been fined €85,000 for exploiting workers on the farm and paying them less than the minimum wage.

Some 50 seasonal workers were found living in poor accommodation when the farm was checked by government inspectors and the police last June.

Pay slips showed that the grower was paying workers €7 per hour for an 80 hour week, if indeed they were paid for all the hours they worked, government inspectors said.

The fine was made up of €70,000 for underpaying workers and €15,000 for failing to keep proper records.

In addition, if the grower is found to be at fault again, the farm will be closed down.