Is it legal to pay workers working abroad different wages than domestic workers?
In short, the answer is yes and no. Paying workers working abroad different wages than domestic workers is legal in Washington State, as long as the wages comply with the state’s wage and hour laws. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries enforces wage and hour laws in Washington. According to their website, employers are “required to pay their employees at least the hourly minimum wage regardless of where the employees are located.” This minimum wage is currently $13.50 in Washington and it applies to both domestic and overseas workers. However, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries also states that “employers can pay employees who work abroad different wages if the wages are in compliance with applicable laws.” For example, some countries may have a higher minimum wage or overtime pay requirements for workers than the requirements in Washington State. In these cases, employers must pay their employees the higher of the two wages, as required by the laws of that country. In conclusion, it is legal to pay workers working abroad different wages than domestic workers in Washington, as long as the wages comply with the wage and hour laws of the state and/or the applicable laws of the country in which the employee is working.
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