Farm Workers' Rights in Northern Ireland

Who this guide is for

People employed in agriculture in Northern Ireland, including seasonal and casual workers.

What this guide does not cover

• Farm workers in England, Wales or Scotland: see Farm Workers' Rights in England, Farm Workers' Rights in Wales or Farm Workers' Rights in Scotland.
• Visas and immigration, including the Seasonal Worker visa.
• General employment rights: see Your Rights as an Employee in Northern Ireland.
• Whether you are an employee or a worker: see Am I a Worker or Self-Employed in Northern Ireland?.
• Agricultural holidays and agricultural sick pay in detail: ask the Agricultural Wages Board.

What the rules depend on

1. Do you work in agriculture in Northern Ireland? Agriculture includes horticulture, fruit growing, seed growing, dairy farming and livestock breeding and keeping.
2. What grade are you, and how old are you?
3. Does your employer provide your accommodation?
4. Who supplies you? The farm itself, or a gangmaster.
5. When did the thing you are complaining about happen? That date decides your tribunal time limit.

"What is the minimum I must be paid?"

The AWB works under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) (Northern Ireland) Order 1977. It has 15 members: three appointed by the Minister (one of whom chairs it), six employer representatives nominated by the Ulster Farmers' Union, and six worker representatives nominated by Unite the Union.

The Board agreed new rates in February 2026. They apply from the first pay reference period beginning on or after 1 April 2026:

• Grade 1, agricultural trainee: the national minimum wage for your age
• Grade 2, agricultural worker: £13.30 an hour
• Grade 3, lead skilled agricultural worker: £13.66
• Grade 4, agricultural multi-skilled worker: £13.89
• Grade 5, agricultural manager: £14.44

The AWB is revising all grade descriptions. It says the earlier grade definitions and qualification requirements no longer apply, and it will publish new information once the new structure is final. If you are unsure which grade you are, ask the AWB.

"When do I get overtime?"

Since 1 April 2026, overtime is paid at the same hourly rate as normal working hours. Any higher overtime rate depends on what you and your employer agree in your contract.

"My employer provides my accommodation"

The accommodation offset under the AWB rates is £60.00 a week from April 2026.

The national minimum wage has its own accommodation offset: £11.10 a day from 1 April 2026.

The two offsets are separate: £60.00 a week applies to the AWB rates, and £11.10 a day applies to the national minimum wage.

"What about holidays and sick pay?"

The AWB's Orders also cover holidays and agricultural sick pay (the AWB Sick Pay Order 1996). This guide does not set out the farm holiday and sick pay rules, because the Board's published summary has not been updated recently. Ask the AWB. Your statutory rights to paid holiday and sick pay still apply: see Your Rights as an Employee in Northern Ireland.

"I'm supplied by a gangmaster"

Gangmaster licensing also applies in Northern Ireland. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has policy responsibility for it, and the officers who enforce it act on behalf of DAERA. Since 7 April 2026 they are Fair Work Agency enforcement officers. See Who Enforces Workers' Rights in Northern Ireland?.

"How do I complain?"

If you have a complaint about your employer, working environment, pay or holiday entitlement, you can fill in the AWBNI complaints form on the DAERA website and send it to the AWB.

For the national minimum wage, you can complain to HMRC using the GOV.UK "complain about pay and work rights" form, and get advice from the LRA.

Deadlines you must meet

• Most industrial tribunal claims: 3 months less 1 day.
• Early conciliation: tell the LRA within your time limit. The clock stops for up to 1 calendar month, plus up to 14 more days if both sides agree.
• HMRC cannot take your minimum wage complaint forward if you have already started a tribunal claim about it.
• Your exact date depends on your facts: see Industrial Tribunal Claims in Northern Ireland.

Money figures

From the first pay reference period beginning on or after 1 April 2026 (AWB Order No 106):

• Grade 1 (agricultural trainee): £8.00 (under 18), £10.85 (18 to 20), £12.71 (21 and over)
• Grade 2: £13.30
• Grade 3: £13.66
• Grade 4: £13.89
• Grade 5: £14.44
• Overtime: at least the normal hourly rate
• Accommodation offset: £60.00 a week

Traps

• Do not use Great Britain rules here. There is no Acas early conciliation: use the LRA.
• The 6-month tribunal time limit from October 2026 is a Great Britain change. Most Northern Ireland claims stay at 3 months less 1 day.
• Overtime is no longer paid at a higher AWB rate. Check your contract for anything better.
• The old AWB grade definitions no longer apply while the Board revises them.
• Do not use England, Wales or Scotland farm rates in Northern Ireland.