Farm Workers' Rights in England

Who this guide is for

People employed in agriculture and horticulture in England, including seasonal and casual workers and workers supplied by a labour provider (gangmaster).

What this guide does not cover

• Farm workers in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland: see Farm Workers' Rights in Wales, Farm Workers' Rights in Scotland or Farm Workers' Rights in Northern Ireland.
• Visas and immigration, including the Seasonal Worker visa.
• Whether you are an employee, worker or self-employed: see Am I a Worker or Self-Employed in England, Wales or Scotland?.
• General employment rights: see Your Rights as an Employee in England, Wales and Scotland.
• The minimum wage in detail: see The Minimum Wage in the UK.
• Agricultural tenancies and tied housing disputes.

What the rules depend on

1. When did you start with your employer? Before 1 October 2013 or on or after it.
2. How are you paid? By the hour, by the piece, or a set salary.
3. Does your employer provide your accommodation?
4. Who supplies you? The farm itself, or a labour provider (gangmaster).
5. When did the thing you are complaining about happen? That date decides your tribunal time limit.

"Is there still a farm minimum wage in England?"

No, not for new starters. The Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales was abolished by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013. The abolition came into force on 25 June 2013, and the last Order (the Agricultural Wages (England and Wales) Order 2012) continued in England until 1 October 2013.

If you started on or after 1 October 2013, you are entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for your age, and the same rights as other workers, such as paid holiday and Statutory Sick Pay.

"I was employed before October 2013"

GOV.UK says agricultural workers in England employed before 1 October 2013 still have the terms and conditions set out in the Agricultural Wages (England and Wales) Order 2012. These normally include:

• minimum rates of pay, which may be higher than the minimum wage
• paid holiday
• Agricultural Sick Pay
• pay even if bad weather stops work
• night work pay
• an on-call allowance
• 30-minute rest breaks, if you are 18 or over and work more than 5.5 hours a day

Your employer cannot pay you less than the minimum wage, even if an old rate is lower. If your employer wants to change your terms, see Fire and Rehire in England, Wales and Scotland.

"I'm paid by the piece"

If you are paid for what you produce, for example per kilo of fruit picked, this is "output work". Your employer must pay you either at least the minimum wage for every hour worked, or a "fair rate" for each piece.

A fair rate makes sure a worker working at an average speed earns at least the minimum wage per hour. To use it, your employer must give you a written notice before you start that says how many pieces it assumes you can do in an hour and how much it pays for each one. It must also include the Acas helpline number. If you do not get a complete notice, you must be paid by the hour instead.

If your employer sets your start and finish times, or a minimum or maximum time you must work, it is not output work. You must be paid at least the minimum wage for every hour.

"My employer provides my accommodation"

From 1 April 2026 the accommodation offset is £11.10 a day. That is the most an employer can count towards the minimum wage for each day it provides accommodation.

"I'm supplied by a gangmaster"

An individual or business that provides workers for agricultural work is called a gangmaster. Gangmasters must be licensed if they supply workers for agriculture, horticulture, dairy farming, food and drink processing or packaging, or shellfish gathering. Some jobs in these industries do not need a licence.

Since 7 April 2026, gangmaster licensing is part of the Fair Work Agency's work. For how to complain, see Fair Work Standards and the Fair Work Agency: England, Wales and Scotland.

"I'm a seasonal worker"

Seasonal and casual farm workers have the same minimum wage rights as anyone else. This guide does not cover visa rules.

Deadlines you must meet

• Most employment tribunal claims: 3 months less 1 day from the act you are complaining about. It is 6 months less 1 day only where that act (or the last act in a series) happened on or after 1 October 2026.
• Notify Acas within your time limit. Early conciliation pauses the clock.
• A minimum wage complaint to HMRC is separate from a tribunal claim. HMRC cannot take your complaint forward if you have already started a tribunal claim about the minimum wage.
• Your exact date depends on your facts. See our tribunal deadline guide.

Money figures

From 1 April 2026 (UK-wide minimum wage):

• 21 and over: £12.71 an hour
• 18 to 20: £10.85
• Under 18: £8.00
• Apprentices: £8.00
• Accommodation offset: £11.10 a day

Traps

• Do not use Welsh, Scottish or Northern Ireland farm wage rates in England.
• The old Agricultural Wages Order terms apply only if you were employed in England before 1 October 2013.
• Being paid by the kilo does not take away your right to the minimum wage. Without a complete fair rate notice, you must be paid by the hour.
• Your employer cannot count more than £11.10 a day for accommodation towards the minimum wage.
• Do not use the 6-month tribunal limit for an act that happened before 1 October 2026.