Changes to the minimum wage rates for agricultural workers in Northern Ireland

The Agricultural Wages Board has confirmed new Minimum Wage arrangements and rates.

At a meeting of the Agricultural Wages Board on Monday 26 March 2007, the Board announced the new grading system with new age bands, an additional Accommodation Offset and revised minimum rates of wages for agricultural workers.

Workers entering the agricultural industry on or after 2 April 2007 will start at the new “Minimum Rate”, those currently working within the industry will move to the rate set out at Grade 2 “Standard Worker”. No current agricultural worker should have their pay reduced by the change. The new rates are as follows:

Grade 1 - this is the Minimum Rate and applies for the first 40 weeks cumulative employment - Below compulsory school leaving age - £2.68; Aged between 16-17 - £3.30; Aged between 18-21 - £4.45; or Aged at 22 and over - £5.35

Grade 2 – Standard worker - Aged between 16-17 - £3.70; Aged between 18-21 -£4.85 or Aged at 22 and over -£5.70

Grade 3 – Lead worker - Aged between 16-17 - £4.33; Aged between 18-21 - £5.67 or Aged at 22 and over - £6.26

Grade 4 – Craft Grade - Aged between 16-17 - £4.37; Aged between 18-21 - £5.72; or Aged at 22 and over £6.72

Grade 5 – Supervisory Grade - Aged between 16-17 - £4.62; Aged between 18-21 - £6.06; or Aged at 22 and over - £7.12

Grade 6 – Farm Management Grade - Aged between 16-17 - £4.99; Aged between 18-21 - £6.55; or Aged at 22 and over - £7.70

To advance to the next grade, a worker has to attain additional experience or qualifications. The definitions for the grades and the qualifications required for each grade are available at: www.dardni.gov.uk/new-grading-system-for-agricultural-minimum-wage.htm.

The Board also introduced an additional ‘Accommodation Offset’, this is for agricultural workers on a contract of less than 52 weeks, these workers will be defined as “Temporary and Harvest Employees”. The Accommodation Offset for “Temporary and Harvest Employees” will be £29.05 per week.

The operative date for these changes is 2 April 2007. The new rates are specified in the Board’s Order No. 86 which relates to these matters. The Order will be available shortly from the Stationery Office Bookshop, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast, BT1 4DG.

Further information on Agricultural Wages Board Orders or matters relating to Agricultural Wages is available from: The Secretary, Agricultural Wages Board, Room 916, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB or telephone: 028 9052 0813.

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 represents a 3.6% increase from the current rate for an agricultural worker (ages 19 and over) to the new Grade 2 Standard Worker rate (aged 22+). A new grading structure and an additional Accommodation Offset have also been agreed. These changes take effect from 2 April 2007. 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.
5. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office Tel: 02890 524 619.