Agricultural workers in Wales are normally entitled to:
- Minimum rates of pay (which may be higher than the National Minimum Wage)
- Paid holiday
- Agricultural sick pay (paid at least the Agricultural Minimum Wage when off work sick. This includes any statutory sick pay they may be entitled to)
- 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
The Agricultural Minimum Wage depends on the worker’s job grade and category as shown below.
Full-time workers
A worker must be paid the weekly rate, if their contract says they should work 39 hours a week (not including overtime). Otherwise, they must be paid the hourly rate.
Grade of worker |
Weekly pay |
Hourly pay |
Hourly overtime |
Grade 1 (compulsory school age) |
n/a |
£3.11 |
£4.67 |
Grade 1 (above compulsory school age) |
£242.19 |
£6.21 |
£9.32 |
Grade 2 |
£271.44 |
£6.96 |
£10.44 |
Grade 3 |
£298.74 |
£7.66 |
£11.49 |
Grade 4 |
£320.19 |
£8.21 |
£12.32 |
Grade 5 |
£339.30 |
£8.70 |
£13.05 |
Grade 6 |
£366.60 |
£9.40 |
£14.10 |
Full-time and part-time flexible workers
Flexible workers must be paid at least the weekly rate if they are full-time, or at least the hourly rate if they are part-time.
Grade of worker |
Days per week |
Hourly pay |
Weekly pay |
Hourly overtime |
Grade 1 |
4 to 5 6 |
£6.52 £6.64 |
£254.28 £258.96 |
£9.32 £9.32 |
Grade 2 |
4 to 5 6 |
£7.31 £7.45 |
£285.09 £290.55 |
£10.44 £10.44 |
Grade 3 |
4 to 5 6 |
£8.04 £8.20 |
£313.56 £319.80 |
£11.49 £11.49 |
Grade 4 |
4 to 5 6 |
£8.62 £8.78 |
£336.18 £342.42 |
£12.32 £12.32 |
Grade 5 |
4 to 5 6 |
£9.14 £9.31 |
£356.46 £363.09 |
£13.05 £13.05 |
Grade 6 |
4 to 5 6 |
£9.87 £10.06 |
£384.93 £392.34 |
£14.10 £14.10 |
Apprentices
For years 3 and above, apprentices must receive at least the rate for Grade 2 workers.
Year |
Age |
Weekly pay |
Hourly pay |
Hourly overtime |
1 |
Any |
£139.23 |
£3.57 |
£5.36 |
2 |
16 to 17 |
£145.08 |
£3.72 |
£5.52 |
2 |
18 to 20 |
£196.17 |
£5.03 |
£7.47 |
2 |
21 + |
£246.09 |
£6.31 |
£9.29 |
If you require any more information on agricultural workers’ rights, please see the following link: https://www.gov.uk/agricultural-workers-rights/overview
Please note: This article is a commentary on general principles and should not be interpreted as advice for your specific situation.