Agricultural Minimum Wage

A single minimum level of  pay for agricultural workers has been agreed by the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB).

The following changes in agricultural wage rates come into effect as from 1st April 2017:

• A single minimum hourly rate of £7.50 for all agricultural workers, irrespective of age and duties, that is equal to the UK Government’s National Living Wage
• The overtime rate for workers during the first 26 weeks of employment will start after 48 hours in the week is worked and at the rate of 1.5 times the agreed hourly rate above
• The overtime rate for all workers after 26 weeks continuous employment will start after 39 hours is worked at the rate of 1.5 times the agreed hourly rate above
• An hourly rate of £4.40 (an increase of 38p per hour) for workers who undertake a Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture
• An additional sum of £1.14 per hour for workers who have an appropriate qualification (an increase of 4p an hour)
• An additional allowance of £5.60 per working dog (an increase of 11p per dog) up to a maximum of 4 dogs
• An increase in the daily rate of the accommodation offset for accommodation other than a house to £6.00 (an increase of 65p per day).

Background

A revised Wages Order detailing the SAWB’s agreed changes will come into effect on the 1^st of April 2017 together with a supportive Guide to Agricultural Wages in Scotland.

The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board is an autonomous body and comprises 17 members, with six representing the interests of employers nominated by the National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) and the Scottish Land & Estates (SLE), six members representing the interests of workers nominated by Unite the Union, and five independent members appointed by Scottish Ministers, one of whom is designated Chair.