A MINIMUM wage increase has been proposed for agricultural workers in Northern Ireland, following a meeting of the province's Agricultural Wages Board.

The proposal is to increase existing minimum rates for workers in grades two to six by 3.5% from April 1, 2018. In addition, the accommodation offset will rise to a maximum of £37 per week.

The proposed minimum rates are, for the first 40 weeks of cumulative employment, £6.88 per hour; grade two, standard worker, £7.42 per hour; grade three, lead worker, £8.16 per hour; grade four, craft grade, £8.76 per hour; grade five, supervisory grade, £9.26 per hour; grade six, farm management grade, £10.04 per hour.

The NIAWB will meet again on March 9 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.