§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the introduction of(a) the Working Time Directive and (b) the minimum wage will have on the role of the Agricultural Wages Board, Horticultural Growers. [61178]
§ Mr. RookerThe Agricultural Wages Board cannot set wage rates or terms and conditions of employment that are less generous than provided for in wider employment law such as the Working Time Regulations and the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. The changes from these two new pieces of legislation will impact on all employers of agricultural workers but are likely to be of most significance to those sectors, such as horticulture, which employ large numbers of casual workers.