Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Government welcomes simplified guidelines for agricultural employers
Defra Ministers have welcomed the news from the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales that it is to take forward work to put the Agricultural Wages Order into a more user friendly format. This will make it easier for both workers and agricultural employers to understand their rights and obligations.
The Government is committed to retaining the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB), which oversees pay and working conditions for agricultural workers in England and Wales.
The AWB was originally set up to protect an isolated and scattered workforce, with little scope for collective bargaining. These conditions still exist today for many workers, as well as new problems arising from the use of seasonal migrant labour. The Government supports the continuing work of the AWB in protecting agricultural workers, regardless of their status.
Welcoming the Board's intention to revise the Agricultural Wages Order, Secretary of State for Defra Hilary Benn said;
"The Agricultural Wages Board carries out a vital role in chairing discussions between employers and employees in agriculture and in setting minimum rates of pay. Whilst the vast majority of employers in agriculture provide good terms and conditions for their workers, we know that agricultural workers can sometimes be vulnerable to low pay and poor conditions, and it is important that the AWB continues its work to provide for minimum rates and standards.
"The Agricultural Wages Order will be presented in a more user-friendly format. This will make it more accessible to both workers and employers and will mean less time spent in enquiries to the Agricultural Wages Helpline."
Notes to editors
1. The Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales is an independent body established under the Agricultural Wages Act 1948. The Board is required to set minimum rates of pay for agricultural workers and can also set other terms and conditions of employment. The Board is made up of eight persons representing employers from the NFU, eight persons representing agricultural workers from UNITE and five independent members, including the Chairman. Defra is responsible for enforcing the minimum rates of pay set by the Board.
2. The Agricultural Wages Order (2007) sets minimum wage rates
and other minimum terms and conditions of employment which apply
to workers in agriculture in England or Wales on or after 1
October 2007. A new Order will come into force on 1 October
2008.
To view the document online, visit http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/working/agwages/pdf/awo07.pdf
3. The Agricultural Wages Order has the force of law and will be enforced in England by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and in Wales by the National Assembly for Wales Agriculture Department. These Departments will investigate complaints made by workers who consider that they are not being paid in accordance with the Order. Individual workers may take action through a civil court or employment tribunal to recover any arrears of pay owed to them by an employer. However, nothing in the Order should be seen as preventing employers paying higher wages than the specified minimum rates.
4. The Agricultural Wages Helpline can be reached by dialling 0845 0000 134 or 01270 754106
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
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