What should I expect when I come to the United Kingdom as a seasonal worker?

This page explains what you should expect when you come to the United Kingdom under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS). It provides details of the type of work you can expect to be doing, what you can expect from the operator you apply through and what you should expect from the farmer who employs you. It also provides information on who you should contact if you have any problems.

The work

As a seasonal worker you will be expected to undertake low-skilled seasonal work for farmers and growers. This work could include:

• planting and gathering crops;
• on-farm processing and packing of crops.

The work you are asked to do will depend on the farm you are placed on and the time of year.

Pay and conditions

You must have a contract of employment and you will be paid for the work that you do. You will be paid at least the agricultural minimum wage. The agricultural minimum wage is the lowest amount of money your employer can pay you for each hour that you work.

This information is contained in the Agricultural Wages Orders. This order sets out the minimum wage you should be paid for agricultural work. It also sets out the minimum terms and conditions you should expect; this will cover things such how often you should be allowed a break during a working day and whether you are entitled to holiday or sick pay and overtime rates.

If you think your employer is breaking the agricultural minimum wage requirements or conditions you should contact your SAWS operator or the relevant Agricultural Wages Order office in the list below depending in which area of the UK you are working.

Your employer will provide you with accommodation during the time you are working for them. You are not required to take up your employers offer of accomodation, you may find your own. There may be a deduction made from your wages to cover your accommodation, there are strict rules under the Agricultural Wages Order that apply to any deductions from your pay.

Contacts for information on the Agricultural Wages Orders:

• in England or Wales is available from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs;
• in Northern Ireland is available from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;
• in Scotland is available from the Scottish Government.

You may be paid more than the agricultural minimum wage or offered better terms and conditions but this will depend on the farm you are working on.

Information about the national minimum wage can be found on the Department of Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform website.

The role of the operator

Your employer will be regularly checked by the operator who issued your work card. The operator will make sure your employer is:

• offering appropriate work;
• paying you the correct wage;
• looking after your health and safety;
• providing clean and sanitary accommodation.

Before you start work your operator will provide you with an information pack. This pack will set out your placement terms and conditions. It will include:

• your start date, the farm you will be working at and how to get there;
• the work you will be doing;
• pay and deductions;
• how much work is available including overtime;
• your hours of work and breaks;
• your holiday pay, sick pay and bad weather pay entitlements;
• your employment rights;
• your rights and responsibilities under health and safety laws;
• the minimum standards of accommodation you can expect;
• things to take, for example, wet weather clothing, money to last until your first pay day (United Kingdom Sterling);
• how and where to complain if something goes wrong.

Getting medical treatment

If you need medical treatment while you are in the United Kingdom, your employer should be able to put you in contact with a doctor or dentist close to where you are working. You will not have to pay for emergency treatment.. You will have to pay for any dental treatment you receive.

Some operators will insist you have medical insurance in place before you come to the United Kingdom, this may be offered as an additional service by the operator. You are also permitted to arrange your own medical insurance if you prefer.

Changing employer

You must work at the farm where your operator places you. If you want to change employers you should contact your operator.

If the amount of work available at the farm where you are placed reduces your operator with your agreement may move you to another farm where you are able to work more hours.

Leaving the scheme

If you want to leave the scheme you can. You should let your operator know that you no longer want to work as a seasonal worker. You will not be able to take any other employment without our approval.