Agricultural workers' rights
Overview
Agricultural workers in Wales, and those employed in England before 1 October 2013, are normally entitled to:
- minimum rates of pay which may be higher than the National Minimum Wage
- paid holiday
- Agricultural Sick Pay
- pay even if bad weather stops work
- night work pay
- on-call allowance
- 30-minute rest breaks, if they are 18 or over and work more than 5.5 hours a day
There are different employment rights for agricultural workers employed in England from 1 October 2013.
There are also different rules for:
Terms and conditions
England
Agricultural workers in England employed before 1 October 2013 still have the terms and conditions set out in the Agricultural Wages (England and Wales) Order 2012.
Wales
Before starting work, employers must give agricultural workers in Wales an Agricultural Wage Order. This sets out many of the terms and conditions of employment. But, employers must still give agricultural workers a written statement of employment particulars.
This sets out many of the terms and conditions of employment. However, agricultural workers must still be given a written statement of employment particulars by their employer.
Trainees
Trainees have different rights, for example they do not get paid holidays.
Help and advice
If you were employed in England before 1 October 2013, you can contact the Acas helpline to get further advice.
You can also make a complaint to the Rural Payments agency.
For queries about wages and rights in Wales after 1 October 2013 contact the Agriculture: Sustainable Development Division.
Agriculture: Sustainable Development Division
[email protected]
0300 062 5004
Agriculture: Sustainable Development Division
Welsh Government
Government Buildings
Spa Road East
Llandrindod Wells
Powys
LD1 5HA