By Bob Walker BBC Midlands reporter

Up to one million Iraqis fled their homeland during Saddam's rule

An asylum seeker's hopes of a new life working in the UK ended when he died in a minibus crash in Worcestershire this summer.

Soran Karim was one of three men who died after a collision on a level crossing.

The 23-year-old, an Iraqi Kurd who came to the UK to escape persecution, was working as an agricultural labourer.

His friend Ibrahim Hussein remembers his attempts to improve his English.

He had to borrow money to pay to the agents and he had a very difficult journey, like a lot of us, to enter the country Hajar Aziz Kakamed, Mr Karim's cousin Farm worker 'abuse' condemned

He says he knows nothing of Mr Karim's attempts to earn extra cash.

It was probably because, as an asylum seeker, he should not have been working.

Toiling among the tractors across the fields of the Midlands are hundreds of foreign workers, often paid a pittance.

The issue is the subject of a select committee report out on Thursday which attacks the government and says the attitude of supermarkets is significant factor in the growth of illegal labour forces.

The facts surrounding Mr Karim's death are to be heard in court.

A van driver has been charged with manslaughter.

Difficult journey

Meanwhile, more details have emerged about his short life.

"Soran was very much hopeful to live his life free - like every other human being - not under the atrocities of a tyrannical person as was in Iraq," said Mr Hussein.

"He wanted to live like other people in Europe, in freedom and be able to make something out of his life."

Hajar Aziz Kakamed, Mr Karim's cousin, said the family came from Halabja.

Mr Kakamed was there the day Halabja was attacked with chemical weapons.

He lost his parents and a brother and still carries the scars of the attack.

Mr Karim's immediate family moved from Halabja to Kirkuk years ago.

He arrived in Britain hidden in the back of a lorry.

"He could not afford to pay for his journey," said Mr Kakamed.

"He had to borrow money to pay to the agents and he had a very difficult journey, like a lot of us, to enter the country."

Mr Karim's body was eventually buried in Halabja.

His friends in the UK paid for the arrangement.

Meanwhile, Mr Kakamed still grieves for his cousin: "He was dear to be and I loved him very much.

"I'm so sorry that he lived a very unhappy life.