Farmworker wage rates in Wales to rise by 6%

Wage rates for farmworkers in Wales will rise by 6% from 26 February – the first rise in rates across all categories of workers since 2012.

At present, Grade 1 to 6 agricultural workers are subject to the minimum pay rates specified by the last Agricultural Wages Order issued by the now abolished Agricultural Wages Board.

The rate for Grade 1 workers is set at the current national minimum wage.

Under the 2016 Wages Order, signed off by ministers on Thursday (4 February), workers will receive an average 6% pay increase based on the 2012 minimum pay rates.

See also: Farmworkers in Northern Ireland to get 2% pay rise

The 6% pay increase will apply to Grade 2 to 6, young workers of compulsory school age, and apprentices.

The Grade 1 rate will increase to £6.72, which is 2p above the national minimum wage.

Rebecca Evans, deputy minister for farming and food, said the Welsh government was committed to supporting rural communities and ensuring that workers in the agricultural sector received fair pay.

“Our policy is different to the approach taken by the UK government where the decision was taken to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales despite our views on the matter.”

The government has said that the 2016 order is intended to be an interim measure only and will be revised once the soon-to-be-formed Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales is established.

The panel is expected to be fully operational by spring 2016 and will have a remit to consider all matters related to employment, skills and career development.

The wages rates will be as follows from 26 February:

• Grade 1 – £6.72/hour
• Grade 2 – £7.39/hour
• Grade 3 – £8.12/hour
• Grade 4 – £8.72/hour
• Grade 5 – £9.23/hour
• Grade 6 – £9.97/hour