By Blake Jackson
Attention New York farmworkers! The wait is over, as the long-awaited reduction in your overtime threshold kicks off on January 1, 2024. Starting year, you'll earn overtime pay for work beyond 56 hours per week, a significant step towards fair compensation for your vital contributions to the state's agricultural backbone.
This phased-in approach reflects a commitment to both worker protection and industry stability. Over the next eight years, the overtime threshold will gradually decrease by four hours every other year, ultimately reaching 40 hours per week in 2032. This measured timeline allows farmers time to adjust their operations while ensuring farmworkers receive the overtime pay they deserve.
"Our farmworkers are the unsung heroes putting food on the tables of New Yorkers and Americans across the country," declared New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. "Introducing this phased transition allows farmers to adapt while protecting the rights of these essential workers. These regulations are a testament to New York's unwavering commitment to its workforce."
So, New York farmworkers, prepare to clock in with renewed confidence knowing that your hard work will be justly rewarded. This is a major victory for worker rights and a testament to New York's commitment to building a fairer and more equitable future for all.
Photo Credit: depositphotos-simazoran
Categories: New York, General