Pay increase for agricultural workers
Date published:
Following a meeting on the 3 February 2025 the Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland has announced proposed increases to the minimum wage rates for agricultural workers from 1 April 2025.
The proposed new minimum rates are:
Grade 1 - Applicable for the first 40 weeks cumulative employment:
- Under 18 - £8.00 per hour
- 18-20 years olds - £10.00 per hour
- Over 21 - £12.21 per hour
Grade 2 – Standard worker - £12.50 per hour
Grade 3 – Lead worker - £12.73 per hour
Grade 4 – Craft Grade - £12.98 per hour
Grade 5 – Supervisory Grade - £13.37 per hour
Grade 6 – Farm Management Grade - 13.90 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.
The accommodation offset has been increased to £54.71 per week.
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 5.00pm on Tuesday 4 March 2025.
The Board will meet again on 7 March 2025 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 2025.
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 (Tel: 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.
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5. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.