The Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland has announced proposed increases to the minimum wage rates for agricultural workers.
Following a meeting on 12 January, the Board proposes to increase existing minimum rates for agricultural workers for grades 2 to 6 by 3.5% from 1 April 2018.
In addition, the accommodation offset will rise to a maximum of £37 per week.
The minimum rate, applicable for the first 40 weeks cumulative employment, will raise to £6.88 per hour.
Grade 2 - Standard worker will raise to £7.42 per hour; Grade 3 - Lead worker will raise to £8.16 per hour; Grade 4 - Craft Grade will raise to £8.76 per hour; Grade 5 - Supervisory Grade will raise to £9.26 per hour and Grade 6 - Farm Management Grade will raise to £10.04 per hour.
The Board will meet again on 9 March to consider any objections to the proposals and may make an Order to give effect to the new rates and other amendments which would come into operation on 1 April 2018.
The Agricultural Wages Board was established in 1977 and meets each year to consider changes to the rates of pay and related conditions for agricultural workers.
