ERO Agricultural Workers

Application

This ERO applies to all agricultural workers in Ireland with the exception of those in the mushroom growing industry and grooms already covered by the terms of a separate REA. See ERO for detailed definitions of all categories covered.

Remuneration

Minimum Pay

Rates of minimum pay vary depending on a worker’s age and status. Full details relating to statutory minimum rates of pay for each job class are set out in the ERO. It should also be noted that there are also pay rates specified for New Entrants and for workers on Structured Training. There is also provision in the ERO for payment of wages on a productivity or output basis but over a one month pay reference period the average hourly rate of pay cannot fall below the statutory minimum rates set out in the ERO.

Board and Lodgings

The ERO provides for the deduction of set amounts in respect of board and lodgings, board only or lodgings only from workers pay if provided by the employer.

Premium Time (formerly Overtime) Rates

Employees required to work in excess of 48 hours per week or on a rostered day off or on a Sunday are entitled to premium time of time-and-one-third.

For all time worked on Sundays, the minimum rate is time-and-two-thirds.

Conditions of Employment

Working hours

The normal number of hours is between a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 48 hours per week.For employees under the age of 18, the provisions of the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act, 1996 apply. Hours of work (including overtime) cannot exceed 48 hours per week averaged over a period of six months.

Workers are entitled to one rostered day off in a seven day week a d every third week must have a Saturday and Sunday off.

Rest Periods

Employees are not entitled to the rest periods specified in Sections 11, 12 7 13 of the Organisation of Working Time Act but employers must ensure that they are given equivalent compensatory rest periods and breaks available to them in accordance with the Code of Practice on Compensatory Rest Periods (S.I. 44 of 1998).

Holidays

Annual leave and public holiday entitlements are in accordance with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Work on public holidays will be a days pay for the work done, plus an additional days pay or an additional days holiday

Sick Pay Scheme

All employees are entitled to benefit from a non-contributory Sick Pay Scheme after a minimum of six months service with their current employer. The benefit paid is based on the length of service with the employer.

The scheme entitles employees to a payment of up to three weeks’ pay (less Social Welfare entitlement) in any scheme year during absences due to illness.

Employees must produce a certificate signed by a medical practitioner by the third day of any absence (and then weekly), specifying the nature of the illness. Employees must inform their employer of their absence from work before normal starting time on the first day of absence. The entitlement does not carry over from one year to another.  For more details, see ERO.

Miscellaneous

The ERO also deals with other issues in relation to bereavement leave, grievance procedures and trade union access to workers. See ERO for more details.