Listen
Increase in agricultural minimum wage
13/08/2008
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board has confirmed an increase of 24p per hour for agricultural workers with more than 26 weeks continuous employment from October 1, 2008.
The Board met on July 30, 2008. As no written representations against its proposals for change had been received, the Board agreed that a new Wages Order will come into effect on October 1, 2008.
Details of the award are as follows:
- £5.73 per hour for those in the first 26 weeks of employment
- £6.20 for those employed for more than 26 weeks by the same employer
- an additional £0.94 per hour for workers with appropriate qualifications
- the dog allowance will increase to £4.71 per week for each dog up to a maximum of four dogs
- employers may deduct up to £4.46 per day from wages in the first 26 weeks of employment to cover living accommodation, other than a house.
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 interests of employers) nominated by NFU Scotland and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association, six (representing the interests of workers) nominated by Unite the Union (Scotland), and five independent members appointed by Scottish Ministers, one of whom is designated Chair.