Farmers urged to complete survey
NFU Scotland has issued its Employment and Wages Survey at a time when securing the workforce needed by Scotland’s food and farming sectors has never been more crucial.
During the current pandemic, and with the UK’s exit from Europe being negotiated, the business of policy development at the union must go on.
Legislators in the UK and Scotland are currently considering policies which will have a significant bearing on the sector’s future ability to employ workers, both on farms and crofts and further into the food and drink supply chain.
The UK Migration Advisory Committee is advising the UK government on the new pointsbased immigration system and is consulting on which occupations should be prioritised in the new Shortage Occupation List. Negotiations are ongoing at the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board, while the UK Low Pay Commission is consulting on wage rates.
NFU Scotland is urging all employers to respond to its Employment Survey 2020. The information provided will shape NFU Scotland’s policy development.
NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick said: ‘The COVID-19 crisis has shown us the real value of the people who work on our farms, crofts and agricultural businesses.
‘At the start of the crisis we pledged to keep the plates and glasses of Scotland full. We have done a fantastic job in delivering food and drink to the nation, but we could not have done that without our valued workforce across the whole supply chain. We face a significant economic shock paired with the conclusion of the negotiations between the UK and the EU on our future relationship, including the creation of a new system of immigration from January 1, 2021. There will clearly continue to be challenges ahead and whether they are financial, economic or political, they will impact our businesses and the individuals we employ.
‘We urge all employers to complete this survey which will help us feed in robust evidence on the industry’s employment needs at this critical time.’