Originally, the FLSA covered only about 38
percent of the labor force, mostly in the manufacturing,
mining, and transportation industries.
1 Over the years, Congress has significantly
expanded the coverage and increased
the minimum wage rate. The air transport
industry was added in 1947, followed by retail
trade in 1961. The construction industry,
public schools, farms, laundries, and nursing
homes were added in 1966, and coverage was
extended to state and local government employees
in 1974. Currently, the FLSA covers
about 85 percent of the labor force.2