Pay increase and changes to employment conditions for agricultural workers

The Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland has announced proposed changes to pay and employment conditions for agricultural workers.

Following a meeting on 16 January 2009, the Board proposes the removal of Age Bands (16 to 22); overtime will only be paid after an employee has worked more than 39 hours per week (the automatic right to overtime for working on a Sunday etc. will no longer apply).

The maximum amount an employer can charge for accommodation (Accommodation Offset) will be increased to £31.22 per week. This will apply to Temporary and Harvest workers currently employed in agriculture; and to all workers commencing work in agriculture for the first time from 6 April 2009. The Accommodation Offset for workers, excluding Temporary and Harvest workers, employed in agriculture prior to 6 April 2009 remains at £1.50 per week.

The Board also proposes to increase existing minimum rates for agricultural workers at Grades 2 and above by 3.75%. The lowest wages pay band known as the “Minimum Rate” has not been increased. The proposed new rates are:

Minimum Rate, applicable for the first 40 weeks cumulative employment - £5.73 per hour.

Grade 2 - Standard worker - £6.14 per hour

Grade 3 - Lead worker - £6.74 per hour

Grade 4 - Craft Grade - £7.24 per hour

Grade 5 - Supervisory Grade - £7.67 per hour

Grade 6 - Farm Management Grade - £8.29 per hour

The Definitions for the grades and the qualifications required for each grade are available on: www.dardni.gov.uk/enforcement-awb 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).

The Board will meet again on 20 March 2009 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 6 April 2009.

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 6 March 2009.

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 proposed variation to minimum pay rates for agricultural workers at Grades 2 to 6 represents an increase of 3.75%.
4. Age bands will be removed from 6 April 2009.
5. Accommodation Offset will increase to £31.22 for Temporary and Harvest workers from 6 April 2009.
6. All workers employed on or after 6 April 2009, who are new to agriculture, can be charged the new Accommodation Offset. Workers, excluding Temporary and Harvest workers, employed in agriculture prior to 6 April 2009 can be charged an Accommodation Offset of £1.50 per week.
7. Overtime will only be paid for workers who have worked more than 39 hours per week, the automatic right to overtime for working on a Sunday etc. will no longer apply.
8. This Press Release is issued by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on behalf of the Agricultural Wages Board.
9. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.