The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) for Northern Ireland has announced proposed changes to pay for agricultural workers.
Following a meeting on 15 January 2016, the AWB proposes to increase existing minimum rates for agricultural workers across all grades by 2% from 6 April 2016, with a rise in the accommodation offset to a maximum of £34 per week.
The proposed new rates are:
Minimum rate, applicable for the first 40 weeks cumulative employment – £6.76 per hour.
* Grade 2 – Standard worker – £7.05 per hour
* Grade 3 – Lead worker – £7.74 per hour
* Grade 4 – Craft Grade – £8.31 per hour
* Grade 5 – Supervisory Grade – £8.80 per hour
* Grade 6 – Farm Management Grade – £9.53 per hour
The Board will meet again on 11 March 2016 to make an Order to introduce the new rates, which would come into operation on 6 April 2016.
Any objections to the above proposals should be sent by Registered Post to: The Secretary, Agricultural Wages Board, Room 917, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3SB, to arrive on or before Friday 26 February 2016.
The definitions for the grades and the qualifications required for each grade are available on:
https://www.dardni.gov.uk/articles/rates-pay-orders-and-reports
or by contacting the Agricultural Wages Secretariat, Room 917, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB (Tel: 028 9052 4873).
