Minimum Wage, Overtime Pay, and Child Labor: Amending the Fair Labor Standards Act


 

Publication Date: December 2002

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Labor

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Abstract:

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the basic federal statute dealing with minimum wages, overtime pay, and child labor. First enacted in 1938, it has been amended through the years to take into account changing workplace trends and to meet new worker and employer concerns. In the 107th Congress, a wide range of changes in the FLSA has been proposed -- some to strengthen the Act; others, arguably, to reduce the level of worker protection. This report provides a quick overview of the status of FLSA-related legislation at the close of the 107th Congress.