Consultation Launched on Agricultural Wages Order 2025 in Wales

The consultation on the Agricultural Wages Order 2025 in Wales, launched by the Agricultural Advisory Panel for Wales, focuses on revising minimum wage rates, allowances, and employment terms within the agricultural sector. This initiative aims to address changing economic factors and the specific challenges within rural communities, ensuring fair wages and working conditions that align with the cost of living and support both workers and employers.

The consultation seeks input from a broad range of stakeholders, including farmers, workers, trade unions, and industry representatives, to gather diverse perspectives on the current wage structure and employment conditions.

 Key Focus Areas of the Consultation

1. Minimum Wage Rates
   As the cost of living continues to rise, there is a clear need to evaluate agricultural wages. Adjusting minimum pay for agricultural workers can ensure fair compensation, especially given the essential work they do and the often physically demanding nature of their roles.
2. Allowances
   For many agricultural workers, allowances like those for housing and travel make a big difference, especially in remote areas where access to services may be limited. The consultation looks at adjusting these allowances to reflect current costs, ensuring that workers feel supported in the roles they undertake.
3. Employment Conditions
   From job security to work hours and leave entitlements, employment conditions play a major role in worker satisfaction and retention. The Panel is examining these conditions, including simplifying overtime rules to make them clearer for everyone involved.

Why Participate?

Agricultural policies impact the livelihoods of many, from individual workers to entire rural communities. This consultation offers a chance for the people directly involved in agriculture to share their insights and experiences, and underlines the Welsh Government’s commitment to fair pay and improved working conditions, aligning with broader strategies to protect worker rights and support rural economies.

The consultation period runs until 15 November 2024, and the Panel encourages anyone affected by these changes to take part.

For more details or to submit your views, please visit the Welsh Government’s consultation page