Do minimum wage laws affect people who are not covered? Evidence from documented and undocumented, hourly and piece rate workers in US agriculture

Arbeitspapier

employers are not obligated to provide at least minimum wages to all employees. U.S. farm employers comprise one of these groups. Employees of large farms and H2-A workers (temporary nonimmigrant workers lawfully admitted to perform temporary or seasonal agricultural services) are protected by minimum wage legislation, while other migrant workers (especially those who are paid piece rate) are exempt. Furthermore, U.S. agriculture is characterized by a large percentage of illegal migrants, and workers who are illegal may or may not receive wages above minimum levels. This paper presents a case study, drawing from agriculture, that examines if and how minimum wage laws affect uncovered workers. Analysis examines wages and hours worked as functions of federal and state minimum wages using data from a nationally and regionally representative survey of employed farm workers. Results suggest wage increases for both covered and uncovered workers, greatest gains to those who are formally covered, and gains not being at the expense of hours worked.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Upjohn Institute Working Paper ; No. 13-194

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Measurement and Analysis of Poverty ; Compensation Packages; Payment Methods ; Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
• Subject: minimum wage exemptions ; poverty ; agriculture

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Alves Pena, Anita
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
• (where): Kalamazoo, MI
• (when): 2013

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.17848/wp13-194
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/98597
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:41 AM CET