The Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland has confirmed a pay increase for agricultural workers.
The pay increase, which was confirmed at a meeting of the Agricultural Wages Board on March 7, will come into effect from April 1.
The new rates were outlined in a statement from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) published today (Thursday, March 27). The rates comprise the following:
- Under 18 – £8.00 per hour;
- 18-20 years olds – £10.00 per hour;
- Over 21 – £12.21 per hour;
- Grade 2 – standard worker – £12.50 per hour;
- Grade 3 – lead worker – £12.73 per hour;
- Grade 4 – craft grade – £12.98 per hour;
- Grade 5 – supervisory grade – £13.37 per hour;
- Grade 6 – farm management grade – £13.90 per hour.
The board confirmed that the grade one rates are applicable up to the first 40 weeks of cumulative employment.
Accommodation provided by an employer can be taken into account when calculating the agricultural workers rates, with the board clarifying that the accommodation offset has been increased to £54.71 per week.
According to DAERA, should the national minimum wage or the national living wage, as applicable, become higher than the hourly rates set out above, then the hourly rates for agricultural workers will default to the national minimum wage or the national living wage.
The Agricultural Wages Board was established under the terms of the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, to regulate the minimum rates of wages, and other related matters, for workers in agriculture. It consists of the following 15 members:
- Three members appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, one of whom is chair of the board;
- Six members nominated by the Ulster Farmers’ Union as representatives of agricultural employers;
- Six members nominated by Unite the Union as representatives of agricultural workers’ interests.
Currently, the rates entail:
- Minimum rate – £8.00 per hour;
- Grade 2 – standard worker – £8.62 per hour;
- Grade 3 – lead worker – £10.77 per hour;
- Grade 4 – craft grade – £11.58 per hour;
- Grade 5 – supervisory grade – £12.18 per hour;
- Grade 6 – farm management grade – £13.23 per hour.
Pay increase
The board intends to meet again on March 22 to consider any objections to the proposals, before issuing an order to give effect to the new rates and other amendments, which should be effective from April 1.
DAERA advised that objections to the pay increase can be sent to: AWB Secretariat, 1st Floor, Jubilee House, 111 Ballykelly Road, Limavady, BT49 9HO, or via email to: [email protected] – and should arrive by 17.00pm on March 15.
