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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Public Contracts Act
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A quick definition of Public Contracts Act:
The Public Contracts Act, also known as the Walsh-Healey Act, is a law that was passed in 1936. It requires companies that do business with the government to pay their workers at least the minimum wage, provide them with an eight-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek, and pay them extra if they work more than that. The law also prohibits the use of convict labor and the employment of females under 18 or males under 16 years of age. Finally, it requires companies to maintain clean and safe working conditions for their employees.
A more thorough explanation:
The Public Contracts Act, also known as the Walsh-Healey Act, is a federal law that was passed in 1936. This law requires that companies who contract with the government must follow certain rules to ensure fair treatment of their workers.
Under the Public Contracts Act, government contractors must:
- Pay their workers at least the minimum wage
- Limit the workday to eight hours and the workweek to 40 hours, with overtime pay for any additional hours worked
- Not use convict labor or employ females under 18 or males under 16 years of age
- Maintain clean and safe working conditions
For example, if a company is awarded a contract to build a new government building, they must follow the rules of the Public Contracts Act when hiring workers for the project. This means they must pay their workers fairly, limit their hours, and provide a safe working environment.