Senate officials voted this week to place a five-year limit on a new programme that provides temporary visas to foreigners who want to work in the USA.

The amendment was passed by the narrowest of margins.

Once active, the new visa system will help up to 200,000 overseas applicants find short-term work in the USA.

States in the south - Florida, for instance - take large seasonal intakes of temporary workers, particularly in the agricultural sector, where the majority perform tasks such as fruit picking. Employers are obliged to pay above the minimum wage.

The new approach to temporary visas is a facet of the immigration reform supported by president George Bush.

It represents a departure from the traditional attitude to visas, whereby passes would be granted to the family members of immigrants who have already secured work in the USA. The proposed new system would give priority to applicants with the most valuable skills.

Contributed by J.Bevan