Pay increase for agricultural workers

The Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland (AWB) has announced proposed changes to pay for agricultural workers.

Following a meeting on 15 January 2010, the AWB proposes to increase existing minimum rates for agricultural workers across all grades by 1.8% from 5 April 2010.

The proposed new rates are:

Minimum Rate, applicable for the first 40 weeks cumulative employment - £5.90 per hour.

Grade 2 - Standard worker - £6.25 per hour

Grade 3 - Lead worker - £6.86 per hour

Grade 4 - Craft Grade - £7.37 per hour

Grade 5 - Supervisory Grade - £7.81 per hour

Grade 6 - Farm Management Grade - £8.44 per hour

The Board will meet again on 15 March 2010 to consider any objections to the proposals and may make an Order to give effect to the new rates and other amendments which would come into operation on 5 April 2010.

Any objections to the above proposals should be sent by Registered Post to: The Secretary, Agricultural Wages Board, Room 916, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3SB, to arrive on or before 12 March 2010.

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 Unite, six members of the Ulster Farmers' Union, and three members appointed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

3. The proposed variation to minimum pay rates for agricultural workers across all grades represents an increase of 1.8%.

4. This press release is issued by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on behalf of the Agricultural Wages Board.

5. Media enquiries to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.