Scots farm workers get 2% pay rise

20 September 2000



Scots farm workers get 2% pay rise

by FWi staff

THE Scottish Agricultural Wages Board has proposed a 2% wage increase – an hourly rate of 4.51 for adult workers employed for over 13 weeks.

The board rejected claims made by farm workers for a 5 per hour minimum rate and reduction in the working week to 35 hours.

The increase takes effect from 1 January next year. A skills supplement paid to better-qualified workers will be increased at the same time by 1p to 67p.

John Kinnaird, vice president of the National Farmers Union of Scotland, said a bigger increase could not be contemplated because of the farming crisis.

“Any increase in those costs would be a further burden on the industry. Bearing this in mind, we did, in fact, recommend a pay freeze.”

Responses to the proposals must be received by the Scottish wages board by 30 October, with a view to them being considered on 7 November.