Fairness for Farm Workers Act

This bill aims to significantly enhance labor protections for agricultural workers by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 . A primary provision introduces a phased implementation of overtime pay requirements for farm employees. Beginning in 2027, agricultural workers will gradually become eligible for time-and-a-half pay for hours exceeding a specified weekly threshold, eventually reaching the standard 40-hour workweek by 2030. For smaller employers with 25 or fewer employees, these overtime provisions will be phased in over a slightly longer period, starting in 2030 and concluding in 2033. Beyond overtime, the legislation also repeals several long-standing exemptions that have historically excluded agricultural workers from various FLSA protections . These include exemptions related to certain family members, hand harvest laborers, and specific processing or irrigation workers, thereby expanding the scope of covered employees. The effective dates for these changes vary, with some provisions taking effect as early as January 1, 2027, for larger employers, while others are delayed until 2030 or 2033, particularly for smaller agricultural businesses. Conforming amendments are also made to related statutes to align with these new protections.