The United States Senate approved legislation to extend the scope of workers qualifying for protection under the minimum wage law in 1966.

Since 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act has protected certain workers by setting a federally mandated minimum hourly wage for their services. When the Act was first adopted in 1938, it applied only to employees engaged in interstate commerce or in the production of goods for interstate commerce. The 1938 act mandated a minimum wage of $0.25 per hour for such employees. In a series of 26 revisions and amendments since 1938, the most recent in 1997, the Federal minimum wage has been increased to $5.15 per hour. The scope of the original Fair Labor Standards Act has also been increased to apply to many other types of employees, including state and Federal employees, employees in large retail and service enterprises, gas station employees and some domestic workers.

EconEdLink
U.S. Senate Rejects Minimum Wage Bill (9–12) provides students with a look at the political arguments that have influenced minimum wage law over time. Students examine the arguments for and against a proposed, and rejected, minimum wage increase in 1998.

In 'Be All You Can Be'...For Minimum Wage? (9–12), students examine military salaries and the effect that the elimination of compulsory service has had on United States forces. Students compare the salaries of service personnel to what average workers in the civilian sector can make earning minimum wage and discuss possible implications for the future of the military.

Human Capital for Money (6–8) introduces students to the following terms: human capital, occupation, salary and wages. It also provides students with an opportunity to compare selected careers by reference to median salary and education statistics.

ReadWriteThink
Labor laws affect many facets of the workforce and offer protection for workers. In Child Labor: Giving Voice to the Industrial Revolution Through Monologues (6–8), students explore issues related to child labor, including child labor laws.