Final Rule Requires $15 Minimum Wage for Federal Contracts
WASHINGTON鈥擭ovember 24, 2022鈥Beginning January 30, 2022 the hourly minimum wage for all employees working on federal contracts is $15 due to the final rule by the United States Department of Labor. The final rule implements Executive Order 14206, which President Biden on April 27.
鈥淚n addition to promoting efficiency in federal contracting, the implementation of Executive Order 14026 has other benefits,鈥 said Wage and Hour Division Acting Administrator Jessica Looman. 鈥淭he final rule adds value for taxpayers by boosting worker productivity and reducing employee turnover and absenteeism. It also allows federal contractors to retain top talent, and reduce recruiting and training costs.鈥
All U.S. states, specified territories, and the District of Columbia are subject to the rule, which affects most new contracts, renewals, and extensions of existing contracts. The Order goes beyond the wage increase; below is a summary of requirements:
Increases the hourly minimum wage for聽workers performing work on or in connection with covered聽federal contracts聽to $15聽beginning Jan. 30, 2022.
Continues to index the聽federal contract聽minimum wage聽in future years聽to inflation.
Ensures a $15 minimum wage for workers with disabilities聽performing work聽on or in connection with聽covered contracts.
Eliminates the tipped minimum wage for federal contract聽employees聽by 2024.
Restores minimum wage protections to outfitters and guides operating on federal聽lands.
鈥淭he workers helped by Executive Order 14026 and today鈥檚 final rule do essential work on our nation鈥檚 behalf. They build and repair the federal infrastructure,鈥 said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. 鈥淚mplementing this Executive Order improves the economic security of these workers and their families.鈥
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