Rural employment race to bottom

The National Farmers Union (NFU) of Scotland demanded yesterday (August 5) that the Scottish government abolish the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB).

Unite has slammed the NFU warning that abolition of the SAWB will result in a ‘race to the bottom’ for wages, terms and conditions and health and safety.

“It is regrettable but not at all surprising to hear the NFU call for the abolition of the SAWB,” said Pat Rafferty, Unite Scottish secretary.

“But what is really concerning is that they are effectively advocating a race to the bottom on workers’ rights,” he added.

The SAWB has established minimum levels for the wages and terms and conditions of agricultural workers since 1949 and covers more than 20,000 agricultural-related jobs across the country.

The NFU has argued that the existing UK employment rights framework provides sufficient protections for Scotland’s rural workers.

“The NFU argument is that the abolition of the AWB in England and the parameters set by existing minimum rights on wages, working time and occupational safety justify the abolition of the SAWB,” said Pat.

“The reality is that reliance on minimums will mean pay cuts and freezes and an increase in working hours in what is a particularly dangerous industry – this has been our experience of the abolition of the AWB in England,” he added.

A periodic review set by rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead MSP has revived fears over the board’s future and the potential impact that downgrading or abolishing the board could have on rural employment relations.

“A cuts agenda across the agricultural sector would also be contrary to the memorandum of understanding agreed by Nicola Sturgeon and the STUC in supporting the economy and tackling inequality, never mind the Scottish government’s own anti-austerity ambitions,” said Pat.