Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102
§1549 Laborers and Mechanics; Wages; Preference in Employment
Title 42 › CHAPTER 9 — HOUSING OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN NATIONAL DEFENSE › SUBCHAPTER IV — GENERAL PROVISIONS AFFECTING SUBCHAPTERS II TO VII › § 1549
Summary
Despite laws, wages for laborers and mechanics on construction, repair, or demolition under subchapters II–VII must use an eight-hour day, with overtime paid at least 1½ times the basic rate. Defense housing must pay at least the prevailing wage and prefer 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
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102