Agricultural workers across Northern Ireland could benefit from a 5% pay increase from April.
The Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland has, today (Wednesday, February 16th), announced proposed increases to the minimum wage rates.
This follows a meeting on February 11th, 2022.
Agricultural workers in Northern Ireland
The board proposes to increase existing minimum rates for agricultural workers for grades 3 – 6 by 5% from April 1st, 2022.
Therefore, it has proposed the following rates:
- Minimum rate, applicable for the first 40 weeks cumulative employment: £6.95 per hour;
Grades:
- 2 – Standard worker – £7.49 per hour;
- 3 – Lead worker – £9.36 per hour;
- 4 – Craft Grade – £10.06 per hour;
- 5 – Supervisory Grade – £10.59 per hour;
- 6 – Farm Management Grade – £11.50 per hour.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Agricultural Wages Board, said:
“Should the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage, as applicable, become higher than the hourly rates set out above then the hourly or other minimum rate will default to the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, whichever applies.”
Further, the board propose increasing the accommodation offset by 5% to £47.25/week.
The board will meet again on March 14th, 2022 to consider any objections to the proposals and may make an order to give effect to the new rates and other amendments which would come into operation on April 1st, 2022.
Board
The board consists of 15 members:
- Three members appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, one of whom is Chair of the Board (one position is currently vacant);
- Six members nominated by the Ulster Farmers’ Union as representatives of agricultural employers; and
- Six members nominated by Unite the Union as representatives of agricultural workers’ interests.
Objections
Any objections to the above proposals should be sent to: AWB Secretariat, 1st Floor, Ballykelly House, 111 Ballykelly Road, Limavady, BT49 9HO, or where possible, given current COVID circumstances, via email to: [email protected] to arrive on or before Friday, March 11th, 2022.
