The US Division of Labor introduced a proposed rule that will section out the issuance of certificates permitting employers to pay some employees with disabilities lower than the federal minimal wage, at present $7.25 per hour.
The rule proposes to steadily eradicate certificates employers can apply for beneath the Truthful Labor Requirements Act of 1938 that enable them to pay sure employees with disabilities lower than the federal minimal wage, stories Xinhua information company.
The division, which started a “complete assessment” of this system final yr, stated it proposes to discontinue the issuance of latest certificates and set up a three-year phase-out interval for employers with current certificates as soon as a last rule turns into efficient.
“One of many guiding ideas of the American office is {that a} arduous day’s work deserves a good day’s pay, and this proposal ensures that precept consists of employees with disabilities,” stated Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman in a information launch issued by the Division of Labor.
Taryn Williams, assistant secretary of labour for incapacity employment coverage, stated the proposal would assist be sure that employees with disabilities “have entry to equal employment alternatives whereas reinforcing our elementary perception that each one employees deserve honest competitors for his or her contribution.”
As of Might, about 800 employers held certificates permitting them to pay employees lower than minimal wage, affecting roughly 40,000 employees, in line with Kristin Garcia, deputy administrator of the Labor Division’s wage and hour division.
