Increases in minimum wage and holidays for agricultural workers

The Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland (AWB) has confirmed new Minimum Wage rates and holiday entitlements.

The AWB has agreed an increase to the minimum rates of wages for Grade 1 agricultural workers and changes to holiday entitlement. The increases in the minimum rates of wages apply to Grade 1 workers only and are effective from 1 October 2007. The minimum rates of pay for Grade 2 – Grade 6 agricultural workers remain unchanged. These changes were agreed at a meeting of the AWB held in September.

The new minimum rates apply to four separate age bands. These rates and age bands are: £5.52 (aged 22+); £4.60 (aged 18 – 21); £3.40 (aged 16 - 17); and £2.76 (below compulsory school leaving age).

From 1 October 2007 all workers are entitled to a minimum holiday entitlement of not less than 4.8 weeks (proportionately). The holiday year for agricultural workers is 1st January to 31st December.

For the period 1 October to 31 December 2007 an agricultural worker (who has been in continuous employment with the same employer for less than 52 weeks) will be entitled to additional holiday entitlement proportionate to the number of days worked as detailed below:

• works 1 – 2 days per week = 0.5 days additional holiday; and
• works 3 – 5 days per week = 1 days additional holiday.

From 1st January 2008 an agricultural worker (who has been in continuous employment with the same employer for less than 52 weeks) will be entitled to holiday entitlement proportionate to the number of days worked as detailed below:

• works 1 day per week = 5 days holiday;
• works 2 days per week = 10 days holiday;
• works 3 days per week = 15 days holiday;
• works 4 days per week = 20 days holiday; and
• works 5 days per week = 24 days holiday.

An agricultural worker who has been in continuous employment with the same employer for more than one year is entitled to a total holiday entitlement of 29 days made up of 24 days holiday leave plus 5 of the additional days listed in Agricultural Wages legislation. This holiday entitlement is proportionate to the number of days worked.

These changes were agreed at a meeting of the Agricultural Wages Board held on 17 September and will be reflected in the Agricultural Wages (Amendment No. 2) Order 2007 which will be available shortly from the Stationery Office, Arthur Street, Belfast, Telephone 028 9023 8451.

Information on Agricultural Wages is available on: www.dardni.gov.uk/index/new-grading-system-for-agricultural-minimum-wage. Alternatively, information can be obtained 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 increase to the Grade 1 minimum rates of pay for those aged 16 and over correspond with changes detailed in the National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 (Amendment) Regulations 2007. The minimum rates of wages payable to Grade 2 – Grade 6 agricultural workers remain unchanged.

4.The amendments to holiday entitlement reflect changes introduced by the Working Time (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.

5.This Press Release is issued by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on behalf of the Agricultural Wages Board.

6.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.