Oriel Jones & Sons employs workers from the EU and beyond

Some Llanelli councillors voiced worries about integration after Poland and other countries joined the European Union.

They say more than 100 Poles have made the journey to the area and there are worries about friction with local people.

But the local council has passed their accommodation as fit and police said there had not been visible problems.

These people are young, fit and healthy and contribute to our economy Eluned Morgan MEP

Llanelli councillors have raised issues of accommodation, pressure on local services and employment rights.

One, Brian Davies, said Polish workers travelled abroad to better themselves, but had to pay for transport and accommodation, and they were staying two to a room.

Another, Bill Thomas, asked: "There are certainly people out of work in our town - why are these jobs going this way?

"There are agencies bringing these people - there are issues of pay, rent and where they stay that need to be looked at.

"There is also an issue of a social nature - it is something we need to watch carefully."

But Carmarthenshire Council said properties on Queen Victoria Road, Station Road and Palace Avenue, where some Poles are lodging, had all been inspected and passed fit.

Checks have also been made to ensure they were working legally and no employment rules broken.

Brian Davies raised concerns at a meeting of Llanelli Town Council

Since May people from the new eastern member states of the EU have been able to come to the UK under the worker registration scheme, where they can earn more than at home.

Home Office figures show 91,000 registered to work in the UK in the first five months, more than half of them Polish.

Registration scheme

Many are employed in sectors like hospitality, catering and agriculture where employers find it hard to fill posts because of the wages, hours or conditions.

Welsh MEP Eluned Morgan said economic migrants should be welcomed as many were doing vital jobs. They could be highly skilled, such as doctors and nurses, or for the work others were not willing to do.

"Local people generally do not want this type of work," said Ms Morgan. "These people are young, fit and healthy and contribute to our economy."

"It is also worth pointing out there are far more people who leave Britain and go and live in other EU countries such as Spain and Portugal than come here."

She said her only concern was that migrant workers in Wales were not exploited.

In response to concerns about the treatment of Portuguese workers in Merthyr Tydfil and Anglesey, leaflets in Portuguese were distributed informing them of their rights.

Ms Morgan said she would try to ensure a similar publication in Polish was distributed in Llanelli.

Other efforts to integrate the Polish community include English lessons.

Carmarthenshire Council has run classes for about 40 Poles in Llanybydder working at the Oriel Jones & Sons meat plant and Carmarthenshire College will run a similar programme in Llanelli.

Chief Superintendent Ian John of Dyfed-Powys Police said the influx of Poles had not caused any visible friction in Llanelli.