Which law requires a minimum wage to be set for employees in covered industries?

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the law that specifically sets a minimum wage for employees working in covered industries. Enacted in 1938, the FLSA established critical labor standards, including minimum wage, overtime pay eligibility, recordkeeping, and youth employment protections. The minimum wage provisions apply to most employees in the private sector and in federal, state, and local governments, ensuring that workers receive fair compensation for their labor.

The significance of the FLSA lies in its role as a foundational statute for labor rights in the United States, influencing many aspects of employee treatment and compensation. This law has been amended multiple times to raise the minimum wage and expand coverage to more workers.

Other options relate to different regulatory areas. For instance, the Wage and Hour Act is essentially a colloquial reference within the framework of the FLSA and does not stand as a separate law. The Occupational Safety and Health Act focuses on workplace safety and health standards rather than wage issues. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act pertains to employer responsibilities in the event of mass layoffs or plant closings, primarily concerning notice rather than wage establishment.