The farmers’ union is calling on the Scottish Government to make a contribution towards sick pay for agricultural workers who are absent due to Covid-19.
NFU Scotland (NFUS) claims agricultural businesses are being put at a disadvantage to other sectors and wants to see a package introduced which would refund the difference between statutory sick pay, currently set at £95.85 per week, and agricultural sick pay, which is a minimum of £340.08 for a 39-hour week.
Union president Andrew McCornick said: “Unfortunately, it will be the case that during this public health crisis some workers may become unwell and have to take time off and employers want to do all that they can to support their employees at this time.
“However, it is only fair that there is parity in the support measures in place across the economy.
“The minimum statutory standards for agricultural workers are greater than statutory standards for other workers and this should be recognised and included in support packages which provide rebates for sick pay.”
Mr McCornick said he had already spoken to MSPs and received their support, and he has now written to Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing and the Agricultural Wages Board, asking for a refund package to be considered to “ensure Scottish agriculture can focus on providing a secure and stable supply of food for the nation and continue to be an essential source of rural and island employment in these turbulent times.”
Meanwhile, the union has also reminded farmers and their staff to keep their distance from delivery drivers and follow government social distancing guidelines.
It has devised a Drop ‘N’ Go guide with advice for producers receiving deliveries of inputs such as fertiliser and animal feed, which asks farmers to leave hand sanitiser or soap near an easily accessible outside tap, to allow drivers to wash their hands after making a delivery.
It also asks farmers to identify a specific drop-off point, and have this agreed ahead of time, to minimise contact with delivery drivers.
Road Haulage Association director for Scotland, Martin Reid, backed the guidance and said drivers should be given access to wash their hands at each drop-off or collection point.
He added: Drivers are key workers and keeping them healthy will ensure the economy keeps moving and your products continue to get to their end user.”
nnicolson@thecourier.co.uk
