Listen
Pay increase for agricultural workers
04/06/2007
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board proposes to increase the rate of pay for farm workers in Scotland, with more than 26 weeks continuous employment, by 26p per hour to £5.96.
Following the annual wage negotiation meeting held with industry representatives last week, the board proposes that the minimum hourly rates payable from October 1, 2007 should be:
- £5.52 per hour for those in the first 26 weeks of employment
- £5.96 for those employed for more than 26 weeks by the same employer
Workers with appropriate qualifications should be paid an additional £0.90 per hour. Those working with dogs should be provided with an allowance of £4.52 per week for each dog up to a maximum of four.
The Board also agreed to continue to support, in principle, the concept of a UK-wide pension scheme for agricultural workers. A provision, enabling employers to deduct up to £4.30 per day from wages in the first 26 weeks of employment to cover living accommodation, other than a house, will be introduced.
The proposals will be advertised in detail during the week beginning 4 June 2007. The closing date by which representations must be received is Friday 29 June 2007. The Board will meet again on Monday 23 July 2007 to consider written representations and, if it so decides, will make an Order giving effect to its proposals.Notes to Editors
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 National Minimum Wage rate.
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board is an autonomous body and comprises 17 members, with six representing the interest of employers nominated by the National Farmers Union of Scotland and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association, six representing the interests of workers nominated by the Transport and General Workers Union (Scotland), and five independent members appointed by Scottish Ministers, one of whom is designated Chair.