White House Announces New Rules to Provide Minimum Wage & Overtime Protections for Nearly 2 Million In-Home Care Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Wage and Hour Division is proposing a [new rule][1] that would provide minimum wage and overtime protections for nearly two million workers who [provide in-home care services][2] for the elderly and people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. The proposal will revise the companionship and live-in worker regulations under the [Fair Labor Standards Act][3] to more clearly define the tasks that may be performed by an exempt companion. This issue gained national attention when, in 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that [Evelyn Coke][4], a home care worker who worked as much as 70 hours a week, was not entitled to overtime pay under existing regulations.

[1]: http://www.dol.gov/whd/flsa/companionNPRM.htm
[2]: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/12/15/we-cant-wait-meet-home-healthcare-worker-who-inspired-president
[3]: http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs25.htm
[4]: http://www.seiu.org/2010/07/the-legacy-of-evelyn-coke-honoring-the-actions-of-a-quiet-heroine.php

URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/15/we-can-t-wait-president-obama-will-announce-administrative-action-provid