Some Effects of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act upon Southern Industry

Abstract

The Fair Labor Standards Act' became effective on October 24, 1938. For persons engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce, it established a minimum wage of 25 cents per hour and a maximum work week of 44 hours, except upon payment of time and one-half the regular rate of pay for overtime. These standards remained in effect one year. Beginning October 24, 1939, the minimum wage was increased to 30 cents per hour and the maximum work week without payment of overtime was reduced to 42 hours. Finally, on October 24, 1940, the maximum standard work week was reduced to 40 hours. The Act provides for an increase in the minimum wage, on an industry basis, up to 40 cents an hour, and for a general minimum of 40 cents an hour in 1945, unless otherwise ordered by the Administrator. It also provides for the regulation of child labor, a subject that has been excluded from the present discussion.