Agriculture ‘can live with’ minimum wage

Wednesday 7th January 2004, 12:00AM GMT.

MINIMUM wage proposals announced yesterday are ‘something the agricultural industry can live with’, according to the president of the Jersey Farmers Union, John Le Maistre.

He was responding to the recommendations of the Employment Forum that all Island employers – including those in the agricultural sector – should pay their workers a minimum wage of £5.08 an hour.

However this rate would be offset by £74.20 a week where accommodation and food are provided, or £55.65 for accommodation alone.

‘We have got to live with it, and although there will be some implications, such as a slight increase in employers’ wage bills, the overall impact will not be too bad,’ he said.The Jersey Hospitality Association are at present considering their response, following consultation with the Tourism Board.

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