Printer-Friendly Version

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.

Office of Public Affairs

OPA Press Release: Workers and Employers Can Get Latest Minimum Wage Information From Labor Department's Internet Home Page [08/20/1996]

For more information call: 202/219-8211

What is the new minimum wage rate? When does it go into effect? When will it be increased again? Who is covered and who is not? Does my state have a higher rate than the federal minimum? How can I educate the new minimum wage law to employees and coworkers? Who do I call if I have a question? The answers to these questions, and many others regarding the new federal minimum wage, can be found easily through the U.S. Department of Labor's Internet home page.

Beginning today, workers and employers can have immediate access to information on the new minimum wage simply by turning on a computer. The law, signed today by President Clinton, will go into effect Oct. 1, when the minimum wage will increase from $4.25 to $4.75 an hour. It will increase again on Sept. 1, 1997 to $5.15 an hour. The Labor Department is charged with enforcing the law.

"We pushed for this law because hard-working Americans on the bottom rung of the economic ladder need a financial boost to keep ahead of poverty," said Labor Secretary Robert B. Reich. "Our job now is to make sure minimum-wage workers receive their raise and that employers have a fair chance to understand exactly what the law requires."

In addition to the history of the minimum wage, which began at 25 cents an hour in 1938 with passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Internet carries a revised minimum wage poster which all employers covered by FLSA are required to post. In the past, employers had to call the department for copies of the poster.

The web site also has details on the youth subminimum wage, rules on tipped workers and overtime pay for employees using company vehicles to commute. The web site has a copy of the new law and links to other department sources of information about minimum wage.

The minimum wage page can be accessed through the Department of Labor's home page at http://www.dol.gov. Click on the minimum wage hot button to get into the page. For access directly to the page the Internet address is: http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/main.htm.

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.