This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minimum wage increase for agricultural workers
24/08/2005
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board has made the
following proposals to take effect from January 1, 2006.
This follows the pay claim submitted by the Workers'
Representatives on August 16, 2005.
The Board's proposals will increase minimum hourly rates
by 4% with the exception of the 19 years and over rate in
the up to 10 weeks category which will increase by 4.2% to
comply with changes to the National Minimum Wage rates.
The new minimum rates of pay for adult workers aged 19
and over payable for the first 39 hours per week will
be:
- £5.05 per hour for those in the first 10 weeks of
employment,
- £5.46 per hour for those employed for more than 10
weeks with the same employer.
The additional sum payable to workers with appropriate
qualifications will be £0.82 per hour.
Proportionate increases will be made in other current
rates including the Dog Allowance which will be increased
by five per cent to £4.15 per week for each of up to four
dogs.
The Board's proposals will be advertised in detail
during the week beginning September 5, 2005.
The closing date by which written representations must
be received is September 26, 2005.
The Board will meet again on October 4, 2005 to consider
representations and, if it so decides, will make an Order
giving effect to its proposals.
Rates from October 1, 2005
As a consequence of the changes due to take place in the
National Minimum Wage rates from October 1, 2005, the Board
agreed that the following amendments be made to the current
Order No 52 with effect from October 1, 2005 for
agricultural workers aged 18 and 19 and over
in the first 10 weeks of employment:
For agricultural workers aged 18 years, the current rate
is £4.10 and the revised rate will be £4.25. £4.85 is the
current rate for 19 year olds and above and this will be
increased to £5.05.
The Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Act 1949, as amended
to take account of National Minimum Wage legislation, does
not allow for any minimum hourly rate of pay to be fixed
for agricultural workers which is less than the
corresponding NMW rate.
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board
is constituted under the Agricultural Wages (Scotland) Act
1949. It is an autonomous body and comprises 17 members,
six representing the interests of employers nominated by
the NFU Scotland and the Scottish Rural Property and
Business Association, six representing the interests of
workers nominated by the T&G Scotland, and five
independent members appointed by Scottish Ministers, one of
whom is designated Chairman.