Agricultural Wages
Posted: Tuesday 24 August 2010
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board has proposed new wage rates that will take effect from 1 October 2010.
Proposed Minimum Hourly Rates of Pay
The proposed minimum hourly rates of pay from the 1 October 2010 are:
- The basic rate of pay for agricultural workers in their first 26 weeks of employment will increase by 16p per hour from £5.80 to £5.96. (This is an increase of 2.8%)
- The basic rate of pay for agricultural workers with more than 26 weeks continuous employment will increase by 19p per hour from £6.32 to £6.51. (This is an increase of 3%)
- For new employees undertaking an apprenticeship in agriculture the basic rate of pay for the first 12 months is £3.61.
- Workers who have been with the same employer for more than 26 weeks and who hold a Scottish (or National) Vocational Qualification in an agricultural subject at Level III or above should be paid an additional £0.99 per hour.
Other Allowances
Proposed allowance rates from the 1 October 2010.
- Those working with dogs should receive an allowance of £4.94 per week for each dog up to a maximum of four.
- The only benefit provided by an employer to a worker which can be counted as part payment of the minimum wage is the provision of a house. The value of this benefit remains at £1.
- The accommodation offset for accommodation other than a house increases from £4.51 to £4.61 per day.
The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board will meet again on 18 August to consider any written responses received and to decide whether the proposed increases will go ahead in October.
For information on how Morton Fraser can help you with the law relating to employers and employees please contact Graeme Dickson in our Employment Team on 0141 247 1118 or at graeme.dickson@morton-fraser.com.
