Judge Strikes Down Wage Boost for Home Workers

BY SAM HANANEL
Associated Press

WASHINGTON – A federal judge has struck down Labor Department regulations extending minimum wage and overtime pay to nearly 2 million home health care workers.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon says the rules conflict with federal law that has long exempted providers of in-home care for the elderly and disabled from complying with wage laws.

President Barack Obama announced the rules in 2011 as part of his effort to boost the economy and help workers without going through Congress. They were set to take effect next year.

But home care industry groups sued, arguing the higher wages would make it tougher for families to afford care for aging parents.

Worker advocacy groups that lobbied for higher pay say many home care workers live at or below the poverty level.