Agricultural workers are subject to different rights than employees of other companies; therefore, a specialist government department deals with the laws relating to agricultural work which are different to traditional employment laws. The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) assesses the minimum wages set for agricultural workers and deals with agricultural labour laws.

Labour Laws

Labour laws take into account seasonal demand, allowing for hours to be a lot higher in peak season and less in the quieter seasons. This is due to the understanding by the government that the demands on the employee of an agricultural firm will fluctuate depending on the season. For example with silage season being more labour intensive than the winter season.

Agricultural Wages

Wages are set yearly by the Agricultural Wages Board, and will apply to agricultural workers in England and Wales from 1st October of that year until 30th September the following year. The wages are done on are sliding scale taking into account the age of the employee and the qualifications they have.

Grade 1 – Initial Grade

Grade 2 – Standard Worker: standard workers either hold a vocational qualification in a relevant field (a list of suitable qualifications is available from the AWB) or should be able to work without a supervisor, work with animals, work with machinery or be able to drive a tractor.

Grade 3 – Lead Worker: has worked in agriculture for at least 2 years in the last 5, including some training periods and holds either a relevant qualification or must fulfil other criteria relating to team work which are outlined by the AWB.

Grade 4 – Craft Grade: This pay grade has to hold one of these qualifications:

• S/NVQ Level 3 NPTC/City and Guilds qualification in agricultural crop and livestock production or mixed farming
• NPTC/City and Guilds Advanced National Certificate in Agriculture
• Edexcel BTEC National Diploma/Certificate in either Agriculture, Horticulture or Forestry and Arboriculture
• Edexcel BTEC Higher National Certificate/Diploma in either Agriculture, Horticulture or Countryside Management
• Advanced Apprenticeship in Agricultural Crops and Livestock or in Production Horticulture

Grade 5 – Supervisory Grade: is responsible for supervising work on the farm, instructing and disciplining staff.

Grade 6 – Farm Management Grade: Management responsibility for a whole farm or farm business.

Also beyond these wage grades, it is also possible to hire seasonal workers, apprentices and trainees for farm work who are subject to their own rights.All holiday pay allowances leave and sick pay guidelines are also different for agricultural workers and these are downloadable from the business link government website.