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OPA News Release: [09/10/2003]
Contact Name: Lisa
Kruska or Ed Frank
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Statement of Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao on U.S.
Senate Vote to Block Proposal Updating White-Collar Overtime Rules
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao issued the
following statement about today’s vote in the U.S. Senate to block the
Department’s proposal to update and improve overtime rules for
white-collar workers:
“The Department of Labor will continue our efforts to strengthen
overtime protections for workers. The Department’s proposed reforms are
long overdue. They would guarantee overtime to 1.3 million additional low-wage
workers. The Department’s proposal would provide $895 million in added
wages for these 1.3 million low-wage workers. Moreover, our intent is to put
the protection of overtime back into the law for white-collar workers. Unclear
regulations hurt workers because the Department’s investigators find it
difficult to fully enforce the current regulations, employers don’t know
what their responsibilities are, and workers don’t know their rights. The
Department is reviewing the public comments that have been submitted. We
strongly believe these comments deserve careful consideration and that the
regulatory process should move forward to benefit workers.”
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