DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (304/08) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 16 September 2008
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;
Press notices are available on
our website
http://www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
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