Minimum wage increase for agricultural workers

23rd September 2014

A rise in the minimum wage rate for agricultural workers has been confirmed by the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB).

The wage rates agreed by the Wages Board on August 20, 2014 were in line with those announced at the SAWB's negotiation meeting held in May. The minimum rate of pay for agricultural workers with more than 26 weeks continuous employment will increase by 15p per hour to £7.14 from October 1, 2014 - bringing the minimum wage for a 39 hour week to £278.46.

The headline rates agreed by the Board are:

• A minimum hourly rate of £6.50 for all workers in the first 26 weeks of employment. This increase is in line with increases to the National Minimum Wage (an increase of 18p per hour);

• A minimum hourly rate of £7.14 for all workers employed for more than 26 weeks by the same employer (an increase of 15p per hour);

• A minimum hourly rate of £3.96 for workers who undertake a Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture (an increase of 8p per hour);

• An increase in dog allowance to be increased to £5.41 per week for each working dog up to a maximum of 4 dogs (an increase of 11p per dog);

• The additional sum payable to workers with appropriate qualifications will increase to £1.08 per hour (an increase of 2p per hour);

• An increase in the daily rate of the accommodation off-set for accommodation other than a house to £5.01 (an increase of 10p per day).

• A minimum hourly rate of £9.75 for overtime for all workers in the first 26 weeks of employment (an increase of 27p per hour);

• A minimum hourly rate of £10.71 for overtime for all workers employed for more than 26 weeks by the same employer (an increase of 22p per hour).