California would become the first state in the nation to require farmers to pay overtime to farm workers under a bill that the legislature approved on Monday. Reuters said the bill now goes to Democratic Governor Jerry Brown for his approval. The bill was passed along party lines and would phase in the overtime pay rules between 2019-2022. Smaller farms that employ 25 workers or less would have three additional years to phase in the overtime pay. If the bill is signed into law, California would become the first state to require farmers to pay overtime to laborers that work more than eight hours a day or 40 hours per week. California is the largest agricultural producer in the country and opponents of the bill said it will do damage to the agricultural economy. They predict that farmers would be forced to cut work weeks to 40 hours to avoid paying time and a half or double time wages to their laborers. Supporters say the issue is about fairness because farm laborers are one of the few hourly wage groups that aren’t paid overtime. The Governor hasn’t said if he will sign the bill.
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