CLASP Comments on: Employment of Workers with Disabilities under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act
The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) strongly supports the Department of Labor’s proposed rule to phase out Section 14(c) certificates under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which currently allow employers to pay disabled workers subminimum wages. This practice perpetuates occupational segregation, economic inequality, and systemic barriers for disabled individuals. Nearly half of workers under these certificates earn $3.50 an hour or less, often in sheltered workshops that isolate them from the broader workforce. Ending subminimum wages will create a more inclusive and equitable workforce, empowering workers of all abilities to thrive.