As we continue to fight for fair wages for all Pennsylvanians, we must ensure that our efforts include workers with disabilities. Our current minimum wage standards allow an outdated exemption for employers to pay their employees less than minimum wage if they are impaired by a “physical or mental disability or injury,” as long as they obtain a license from the Secretary of Labor and Industry or a Federal certificate under 14 (c) of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. 

 

Several other states have already started to remove these unfair exemptions, and it is time for Pennsylvania to join them. My legislation would amend the Minimum Wage Act of 1968 to remove exceptions allowing employers to underpay workers with disabilities.  

 

This is a matter of fairness and respect. All workers deserve the same standard of dignity in their workplace. A person with a disability deserves a fair wage, and we need to modernize our law to reflect the respect that people with disabilities deserve. Please join me in creating a fair standard of wages for working people with disabilities.