Minimum wage rise agreed for Scottish farmworkers

Minimum wage levels for farmworkers in Scotland are set to rise to £7.50/hour.

The new minimum level of pay for all agricultural workers, irrespective of age and duties, was agreed by the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB).

The rate is an increase of 30p/hour on the 2016 level (£7.20/hour) and equal to the UK government’s national living wage (NLW). It will take effect from 1 April.

See also: Consultant advises 1% farm wages rise

For workers who have fewer than 26 weeks of continuous employment the minimum wage will be set at 1.5 times the hourly rate (equaling £11.25/hour for those earning the minimum £7.50/hour). This will only kick in after 48 hours have been worked in a week.  

Those workers who have had 26 weeks of continuous employment will see the minimum overtime rate of 1.5 times the hourly wage start after 39 hours have been worked in a week.

Workers on a level two apprenticeship in agriculture will see their minimum wage rise to £4.40/hour.

NFU Scotland chief executive Scott Walker said: “Agricultural wages cannot be set at a rate that is less than the NLW.

“We were pleased, therefore, that the wages board recognised the substantial increase that is to take place.”

The Agricultural Wages Board was disbanded in England in 2013. However, minimum wage levels for farmworkers are still set by an official pay review body in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.