New minimum wage rates for agricultural workers announced

The Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland (AWB) has confirmed new minimum Wage rates.

At a meeting of the Agricultural Wages Board on Monday 10 March 2008, the Board revised the minimum rates for agricultural workers at Grade 2 and above by 3.8%. The new rates, which will apply from 7 April 2008, are as follows:

Grade 2 – Standard worker - Aged between 16-17 - £3.84; Aged between 18-21 - £5.03 or Aged at 22 and over -£5.92

Grade 3 – Lead worker - Aged between 16-17 - £4.49; Aged between 18-21 - £5.89 or Aged at 22 and over - £6.50

Grade 4 – Craft Grade - Aged between 16-17 - £4.54; Aged between 18-21 - £5.94; or Aged at 22 and over £6.98

Grade 5 – Supervisory Grade - Aged between 16-17 - £4.80; Aged between 18-21 - £6.29; or Aged at 22 and over - £7.39

Grade 6 – Farm Management Grade - Aged between 16-17 - £5.18; Aged between 18-21 - £6.80; or Aged at 22 and over - £7.99

The operative date for these new rates is 7 April 2008 and they are specified in the Board’s Order No. 88. The Order will be available shortly from the Stationery Office Bookshop, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast, BT1 4DG.

The lowest wage pay band known as the “Grade 1 - Minimum Rate” has not been increased at this time and these rates remain as noted below:

Grade 1 - Minimum Rate - Below compulsory school leaving age - £2.76; Aged between 16-17 - £3.40; Aged between 18-21 - £4.60; or Aged at 22 and over - £5.52.

Where at any time the National Minimum Wage becomes higher than the hourly rates set out above, then the minimum rates shall be equal to the National Minimum Wage. The National Minimum Wage will be increased on 1 October 2008.

The Definitions for the grades and the qualifications required for each grade are available on the DARD website or by contacting the Agricultural Wages Secretariat, Room 910, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3SB (Tel: 028 9052 0813 or Fax: 028 9052 4266).

Notes to Editors:

1. The Agricultural Wages Board is constituted under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 and meets each year to consider changes to the rates of pay and related conditions for agricultural workers.
2. The Board comprises six members of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union, six members of the Ulster Farmers' Union, and three members appointed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
3. The agreed amendments to the minimum pay rates for Grade 2 workers and above represents a 3.8% increase. These changes take effect from 7 April 2008. There are no other changes to working conditions.
4. This Press Release is issued by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on behalf of the Agricultural Wages Board Northern Ireland.
5. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.