Agricultural Wages Board
- Introduction
- Enquiries about the Order
- News
- Guide to Agricultural Wages Order
- Publication scheme
- Agricultural employment
- Contact the AWB
- Further information
Introduction
The Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) is an independent body with a statutory obligation to fix minimum wages for workers employed in agriculture in England and Wales. The Board also has discretionary powers to decide other terms and conditions of employment, e.g. holidays and sick pay. It produces a legally binding Order which is enforced by Defra.
The Agricultural Wages Act 1948 gives the AWB the responsibility for fixing minimum rates of wages and other terms and conditions of employment for workers employed in agriculture. This is done through the Agricultural Wages Order (the Order), which has the force of law and is enforced by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The Order applies to all workers employed in agriculture in England and Wales.
Enquiries about the Order
The AWB does not deal with enquiries about the provisions of the Agricultural Wages Order. If you have such an enquiry please contact the Agricultural Wages Team:
Tel: 0845 0000134p
Tel: 01270 754106
Email: agriwages@defra.gsi.gov.uk
News
Agricultural Wages Negotiations 2009 – Proposals Document
Following its meeting on 15-17 June 2009 the Board issued proposals for a new Order to come into force on 1 October 2009. Members of the public have until 20 July to respond to the Board’s proposals. A Confirmation Meeting will be held on 24 July at which any representations received will be considered before the Board decides whether or not to confirm its proposals.
- 2009 proposals document (PDF 130 KB)
Guide to the Agricultural Wages Order
The Board has produced a short guide to the Agricultural Wages Order. This is intended to help employers and workers to become acquainted with the main provisions of the Order. It is not a legal document and should not be treated as such. It is for the Courts and the Employment Tribunals to interpret the law in each individual case.
- The Agricultural Wages Order 2008: a short guide (PDF 43 KB)
Publication scheme
For details of the AWB publication scheme please see:
- Agricultural Wages Board publication scheme (PDF 25 KB)
- Agricultural Wages Committees publication scheme (PDF 25 KB)
- Agricultural Dwelling Houses Advisory Committees (PDF 25 KB)
Agricultural employment
For more information please see www.defra.gov.uk/farm/agwork.htm
Contacting the Agricultural Wages Board
The Secretary to the
Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales
Defra
Area 7E, 9 Millbank
c/o 17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Tel: 020 7238 6523
Fax: 020 7238 6553
Email: agriwages@arp.defra.gsi.gov.uk
Page last modified: 29 June 2009
Page published: 16 March 2005