The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) for Northern Ireland has this morning announced proposed changes to pay for agricultural workers.
Following a meeting on 31 January 2014, the AWB proposes to increase existing minimum rates for agricultural workers across all grades by 1.85 per cent from 6 April 2014.
The proposed new rates are: minimum rate, applicable for the first 40 weeks cumulative employment – £6.47 sterling per hour.
Grade 2 – Standard worker – £6.77 sterling per hour
Grade 3 – Lead worker – £7.44 sterling per hour
Grade 4 – Craft Grade – £7.99 sterling per hour
Grade 5 – Supervisory Grade – £8.46 sterling per hour
Grade 6 – Farm Management Grade – £9.16 sterling per hour
The board will meet again on 21 March 2014 to make an order to introduce the new rates, which would come into operation on 6 April 2014.
The Agricultural Wages Board meets each year to consider changes to the rates of pay and related conditions for agricultural workers. It comprises six members of Unite the Union, six members of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, and three members appointed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.