The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) for Northern Ireland has announced proposed increases to the minimum wage rates for agricultural workers from April 1, 2025.
Agricultural workers in Northern Ireland are entitled to agricultural minimum wage rates, rather than the national minimum wage (NMW) or national living wage (NLW).
If the NMW or the NLW, as applicable, becomes higher than the hourly proposed new rates, then the hourly or other minimum wage will default to the national minimum wage or national living wage, whichever applies.
Agricultural Wages Board
The current rates and the proposed new minimum rates are:
- Grade 1- applicable for the first 40 weeks of cumulative employment – £7.99 to £8.00 for under 18s, £10 for 18-20-year-olds, and £12.21 for over 21s;
- Grade 2 – standard worker – £8.62 to £12.50;
- Grade 3 – lead worker – £10.77 to £12.73;
- Grade 4 – craft grade – £11.58 to £12.98;
- Grade 5 – supervisory grade – £12.18 to £13.37;
- Grade 6 – farm management grade – £13.23 to £13.90.
The proposed accommodation offset has been increased from £51.27 to £54.71 per week.
The Agricultural Wages Board will meet again on March 7, 2025, to consider any objections to the proposals.
Afterwards, the board will make an order to give effect to the new rates and other amendments which would come into operation on April 1, 2025.
The AWB 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.
The board consists of 15 members, three members are appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, one of whom is the chair of the board.
Six members nominated by the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) as representatives of agricultural employers and six members are nominated by Unite trade union as representatives of agricultural workers’ interests.
