Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§1549 Laborers and mechanics; wages; preference in employment

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 9— - HOUSING OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN NATIONAL DEFENSE › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IV— - GENERAL PROVISIONS AFFECTING SUBCHAPTERS II TO VII › § 1549

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Laborers and mechanics on any construction, repair, or demolition job under subchapters II–VII must be paid for an eight-hour workday. Any hours over eight in one day must be paid at least one and one‑half times the basic rate. Work on defense housing covered here must pay at least the prevailing wage, and employers must give hiring preference to qualified local residents.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §1549

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the wages of every laborer and mechanic employed on any construction, repair or demolition work authorized by subchapters II to VII of this chapter shall be computed on a basic day rate of eight hours per day and work in excess of eight hours per day shall be permitted upon compensation for all hours worked in excess of eight hours per day at not less than one and one-half times the basic rate of pay. Not less than the prevailing wages shall be paid in the construction of defense housing authorized herein. Preference in such employment shall be given to qualified local residents.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Subchapters III and VI of this chapter, referred to in text, were comprised of sections 1531 to 1536 and 1571 to 1576, respectively, of this title and have been omitted from the Code. For further details, see note set out under section 1522 of this title.

Amendments

1942—Act Jan. 21, 1942, inserted last sentence.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 1549

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73