The Agricultural Wages Board for Northern Ireland has announced proposed increases to the minimum wage rates for agricultural workers.

Following a meeting on January 12, 2018, the board proposes to increase existing minimum rates for agricultural workers for grades two to six by 3.5% from April 1, 2018.

Currently the rate for a standard worker sits at £7.17 an hour.

In addition, the accommodation offset will rise to a maximum of £37 per week.

The board will meet again on March 9, 2018 to consider any objections to the proposals and may make an order to give effect to the new rates and other amendments which would come into operation on April 1, 2018.

Any objections to the above proposals should be sent to: The Secretary, Agricultural Wages Board, Room 917, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3SB, to arrive on or before Friday February 23, 2018.

The definitions for the grades and the qualifications required for each grade are available online.

The Agricultural Wages Board was established under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977 and meets each year to consider changes to the rates of pay and related conditions for agricultural workers.