NFU advice on effect of scrapping Wages Board

Members of the National Farmers’ Union concerned about the implications of the Government’s abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board are being invited to a series of meetings in Yorkshire.
Barney KayBarney Kay
Barney Kay

The regional briefings will be focused on employment law and what the changes mean for farm businesses in the area.

The workshop-style events will also be an opportunity for members to hear the latest thoughts on the topic from the NFU’s national experts and local legal panel firms.

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Barney Kay, the NFU’s regional director for the North East, said: “Employment issues can be far from straightforward and farmers now need to ensure they are complying with all the relevant national legal regulations such as minimum wage legislation.

“The NFU has already produced an employer’s information pack that covers complex areas such as reviewing and varying terms and conditions of employment and provides guidance on key pieces of legislation.

“These meetings provide an excellent opportunity for farmers to find out more about how they are affected and ask questions of our expert panel.”

The decision to abolish the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales was announced by the Government in July 2010.

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Since then a consultation was carried out with interested parties.

The Government considers that by abolishing the Agricultural Wages Board, and therefore the agricultural minimum wage regime, it will simplify employment practices and remove an “unnecessary regulatory burden” which in turn will enable the industry to adopt “flexible working practices and help to ensure a sustainable and viable future for agriculture”.

The meetings organised by the NFU are scheduled to take place on Monday, September 30 at Bishop Burton College from 8.30am and at Malton Rugby Club on the same day from 4pm.

There will be two further meetings on Tuesday October 1, at Stockbridge Technology Centre in Cawood near Selby from 1pm, and at The George Hotel, Piercebridge in Darlington beginning at 7.30pm.

To book a place at any of the forthcoming meetings, call the regional office of the National Farmers’ Union in advance on 01904 451550.

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