Call to scrap agricultural wages board

Afarmer in Easter Ross insists that it’s time to abolish the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB).

The board sets minimum pay rates and other service conditions for agricultural workers in Scotland.

John Scott from Fearn Farm, near Tain, says: “It is outdated and adds another layer of bureaucracy we do not need.

“With financial pressure continuing to tighten on many farms, those in the broader industry and government must look at ways to become more efficient.

“The cash required to run the wages board could bring a better return on investment if diverted elsewhere, like training agricultural workers.”

Mr Scott says we should follow our English and Welsh counterparts and scrap the system, which causes farmers stress, impacts their lives and is ultimately a waste of time.

Last week, this paper printed a statement from a recruitment services company warning farmers that not paying the minimum or national living wage to workers is a criminal offence.

Mr Scott believes the likelihood of farmers paying below the minimum wage is unrealistic.

He says: “It is all about supply and demand – if you find a good guy, you pay over the odds to keep him.

“Good staff are tough to find.” Rates of pay and other conditions of service as of April 1:

● The minimum hourly rate of pay for all workers is £11.44.

● The overtime rate for all workers remains at 1.5 times the agreed hourly rate of £17.16 per hour.

● An hourly rate of £7.17 – a 0.64p per hour increase for workers who undertake an SCQF Level 4 or 5 or equivalent in agriculture/ horticulture.

● The only benefit an employer provides to a worker which can be counted as part-payment of the minimum wage is the provision of a house without charge.

● This benefit will be £1 per week, which may be deducted from the worker’s pay even if it reduces the gross income below the statutory minimum.

● Any deduction an employer makes from a worker’s wage regarding accommodation other than a house shall not exceed £9.99 for each day in the week for which living accommodation is provided.

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It is all about supply and demand – if you find a good guy, you pay over the odds to keep him

BUREAUCRATIC: Highland farmer John Scott believes the wages board is outdated.