Seasonal Agricultural Workers
The UK farming industry heavily relies on seasonal agricultural workers to meet the demands of various crops throughout the year but their employment situation raises important considerations from an employment law perspective.
Seasonal agricultural workers are individuals who engage in temporary employment in the farming industry, typically involved in activities such as planting, harvesting, or tending crops. These workers may come from other countries as part of the UK government’s Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS), a framework for employing temporary agricultural workers from overseas, but employment law regulations and immigration laws must also be adhered to.
As an employer of seasonal agricultural workers, you have legal obligations towards your employees. These obligations include:
- paying the national minimum wage;
- providing a safe working environment;
- maintaining working hours and break times;
- providing sick pay and holiday pay;
- and ensuring that the workers receive proper training and supervision.
Due to the temporary nature of their employment, these workers may be provided accommodation and if this is the case employers must provide suitable living conditions that meet basic standards of hygiene and safety.
How can we help
As an employer, it is crucial to comply with employment laws and provide fair working conditions. If you are considering taking on seasonal workers, our Employment team can ensure that your workers’ rights and protections are recognised and adhered to. You can contact our Employment team on 0161 764 4062 or email enquiries@butcher-barlow.co.uk.
This article was first published in the July 2023 edition of The Farmart magazine.