Minimum Wage Increases Today
The U.S. Department of Labor reminds employers and employees that the federal minimum wage increased today to $5.85 for workers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The law also requires that workers be paid on their regular paydays for all hours worked during a pay period.
The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 amended the FLSA to increase the federal minimum wage in three steps: to $5.85 per hour effective today; to $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008; and to $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. A separate provision of the bill will bring about phased increases to the minimum wage in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and American Samoa, with the goal of bringing the minimum wage in those locations up to the general federal minimum wage over a number of years.
DOL's Wage and Hour Division, which enforces the FLSA, has posted updated compliance assistance information on its Web site at www.wagehour.dol.gov. A revised minimum wage poster reflecting the increases is available for viewing, free downloading, and posting. Alternatively, the public may order the poster through the publications order form available at the bottom of the site's homepage. A revised FLSA Handy Reference Guide is also available electronically. This document provides guidance on related FLSA provisions, such as the payment of less than the full minimum wage to certain workers with disabilities, full-time students, and student learners who are employed under a special certificate.
Every employer subject to the FLSA minimum wage provisions must post, and keep posted, a notice explaining the FLSA's provisions in all of its establishments so that employees are readily able to read it. For more information, call the Wage and Hour Division's toll-free number at 866-487-9243.