Farmers' Comments...
Just a note to let you know how we have enjoyed reading Practial Farm Ideas. It's one of the best farm magazines we have had for a long time and will pass it around for our friends to read - it's so interesting that you just can't put it down. Keep up the good work!
S.J.Perry, Exeter
If you'd like your comments featured here, please contact us
<< back
Thorny question of agricultural wage controls
Share on Facebook
Created: 02/01/2013 – By Michael Donovan
NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond is firmly behind the abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board saying “Removing this separate structure seems entirely consistent with modern notions of workers’ rights, industrial relations and business management.”
He says few farm workers receive the minimum…..
and that the average earnings for full time workers are 41 per cent above the industry minimums.
Yet not all support the policy. The AWB covers some 150,000 workers, and acts as a bench mark for thousands of other rural jobs. It has protected workers for decades, and provided some useful benefits.
If farm workers are returned to the statutory sick and holiday payments there’s the possibility of a total £9m being removed from their wage packet, according to the Unite Union.
One farm worker who was on a recent march in London pointed out an inconsistency in the NFU approach saying,
“Dairy farmers are concerned at the pressure exerted on them by the free market dominated by supermarkets, and are asking for controls and support in order to provide a return and living wage. We are similarly worried that abolishing the AWB will reduce control and cause wages to decline. Farmers search for ways to raise their returns from the business, and a free-for-all in wages could well hit those who are working the land.“
Others pointed out the a decline in wages would make the industry less attractive as a career choice, reducing new entrants and further increasing the average age of workers.
They also suggested that full time workers, as cited by Meurig Raymand, were a decreasing proportion of the total involved in agricultural work, as farms moved to a larger number of part-time and seasonal staff.
caption: Today’s farm work involves a high level of skills and responsibility
High res copies available
http://bit.ly/Ua6Lzw
Want to read the full article?
It can be purchased from the online shop for £0.00, just click here
Got a free access code?
Today's free articles
Mobile Out-of-Parlour feeder moves with cows
view article
Other featured articles
Mobile cattle crush with holding pen handles cattle fast, cuts vet charges
view article
Mobile Out-of-Parlour feeder moves with cows
view article
Grain auger has hydraulic height adjustment
view article
* 2 POINTS
* 2 POINTS
