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February 17, 1913: Oregon Enacts First Minimum Wage Law

February 17, 2011 by Dave Leave a Comment

The Oregon Legislature passed one of the first minimum wage laws in the country on February 17, 1913.

It shall be unlawful to employ women or minors in any occupation within the state of Oregon for unreasonably long hours; and it shall be unlawful to employ women or minors in any occupation within the state of Oregon under such surroundings or condition – sanitary or otherwise – as may be detrimental to their health or morals; and it shall be unlawful to employ women in any occupation within the state of Oregon for wages which are inadequate to supply the necessary cost of living, and to maintain them in health; and it shall be unlawful to employ minors in any occupation within the state of Oregon for unreasonably low wages.

As part of the legislation an Industrial Welfare Commission was established to ascertain and declare what this all meant. They declared: 50 hour weeks, 9 hour days, 45 minute lunch breaks, and a weekly wage of not less than $8.64.

Source: Minimum wage legislation By Irene Osgood Andrews, New York

Filed Under: History, Oregon, This Day in History

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