Farm workers’ wages increase announced

A statement from the Scottish Government said: “The wage rates agreed by the Wages Board on August 20 were in line with those announced at the SAWB’s negotiation meeting held in May.

“The minimum rate of pay for agricultural workers with more than 26 weeks continuous employment will increase by 15p per hour to £7.14 from October 1, 2014 - bringing the minimum wage for a 39 hour week to £278.46.”

Other headline rates agreed by the board include a minimum hourly rate of £6.50 for all workers in their first 26 weeks and a minimum hourly rate of £7.14 for all workers employed for more than 26 weeks by the same employer (an increase of 15p per hour).

The minimum hourly rate for overtime for workers employed for more than 26 weeks by the same employer will be of £10.71, 22p per hour. For those in their first 26 weeks it will be £9.75, up by 27p.

The minimum hourly rate will be £3.96 for workers who undertake a Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship in Agriculture, up 8p per hour.

Dog allowance goes up to £5.41 each a week for up to four working dogs - increase of 11p per dog.

The additional sum payable to workers with appropriate qualifications will increase to £1.08 per hour (an increase of 2p per hour);

There will be an increase in the daily rate of the accommodation off-set for accommodation other than a house to £5.01, an increase of 10p a day.