NFU Scotland is fighting back against what it sees as the injustice of last year’s Scottish Agricultural Wages Board decision to scrap age-related minimum rates of pay.
The union has called on growers and farmers across the country to complete a survey to help it assess the extent of the damage caused by the decision, with NFUS continuing its campaign to reinstate the old arrangements.
According to NFUS the scrapping of age-related pay bands for agricultural wages means that a younger worker who may be legally unable to carry out certain agricultural activities such as driving a tractor, must be paid the same rate as an older worker. The union is worried that this will prevent entry to the industry of younger workers and jeopardise existing jobs.
It also points out that the move is in contrast to National Minimum Wage arrangements, which have retained banding.
Before leaving office ahead of Scottish Parliamentary elections, Rural Development minister Ross Finnie asked the Wages Board chairman to reconsider the decision, but reinstatement is dependent upon NFUS proving that their removal has had an adverse effect on the industry.
Chairman of the NFU Legal and Technical Committee, Jamie Smart, said: “The minister’s decision to ask the Wages Board to reconvene to look at age-related pay bands is hugely important. However, the only hope we have of overturning the decision to scrap them is if we have clear evidence of the detrimental impact their removal has had.
“I would urge any agricultural employer to respond to the survey so we can get the best picture possible of what is happening on the ground.”
