What is the role of the Wage and Hour Division in labor law?

The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is the main body of the U.S. Department of Labor responsible for administering and enforcing labor laws in Washington. Specifically, WHD enforces laws related to minimum wage, overtime pay, health and safety, equal pay, worker classification, and other issues related to wages and hours. The WHD enforces the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which establishes minimum wage and overtime pay standards, as well as child labor protections. The Washington Minimum Wage Act also sets minimum wage and overtime pay standards, which are enforced by the WHD. The WHD also enforces Washington’s Equal Pay Law, which prohibits employers from paying unequal wages to employees of the opposite sex for positions requiring equal skill, effort and responsibility. Additionally, the WHD enforces the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows certain employees who meet certain eligibility criteria to take unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons. The WHD also administers the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, which protects migrant and seasonal agricultural workers from unfair labor practices. Lastly, the WHD enforces the Davis-Bacon Act, which requires the payment of prevailing wages to workers on federally funded or assisted construction contracts. In summary, the Wage and Hour Division is the main body of the U.S. Department of Labor responsible for administering and enforcing labor laws in Washington. The WHD enforces the FLSA, the Washington Minimum Wage Act, the FMLA, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, and the Davis-Bacon Act. These are all important labor laws that protect the rights of workers and ensure fair wages.

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