Pay increase for agricultural workers

The Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland has announced proposed increases to the minimum wage rates for agricultural workers.

Following a meeting on 9 February 2024, the Board also proposes to increase existing minimum rates for all grades by six percent from 1 April 2024. 

Therefore, the proposed new minimum rates are:

Grade 1 – applicable for the first 40 weeks cumulative employment - £7.99 per hour
Grade 2 – Standard worker - £8.62 per hour
Grade 3 – Lead worker - £10.77 per hour
Grade 4 – Craft Grade - £11.58 per hour
Grade 5 – Supervisory Grade - £12.18 per hour
Grade 6 – Farm Management Grade - £13.23 per hour

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.

Any objections to the above proposals should be sent to: AWB Secretariat, 1st Floor, Jubilee House, 111 Ballykelly Road, Limavady, BT49 9HO, or via email to CorporateSponsorBranch@daera-ni.gov.uk to arrive no later than 17.00 on Friday 15 March 2024.

The Board will meet again on 22 March 2024 to consider any objections to the proposals. The Board will make an Order to give effect to the new rates and other amendments which would come into operation on 1 April 2024.

The definitions for the grades and the qualifications required for each grade are available from the DAERA website or by contacting the AWB Secretariat 1st Floor, Jubilee House, 111 Ballykelly Road, Limavady, BT49 9HO (Telephone: 02877442037, Email: CorporateSponsorBranch@daera-ni.gov.uk).

Notes to editors: 

1. The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) was established under the terms of the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977, to regulate the minimum rates of wages, and other related matters, for workers in agriculture.

2. 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;
• 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.

3, This Press Release is issued by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on behalf of the Agricultural Wages Board.

4. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.

5. Follow DAERA on X formerly called Twitter and Facebook.

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