The Walsh-Healy Public Contracts Act requires contractors to pay employees the federal minimum wage.

This act requires contractors who manufacture or furnish materials, supplies, articles, or equipment to the U.S. government to pay employees who produce, assemble, handle, or ship goods the federal minimum wage for all hours worked, and time and a half for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek. It also prohibits the employment of convicts and of youth under 16 on certain federal contracts. The act applies to contracts that exceed $10,000.

It is enforced by the Employment Standards Administration’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which offers compliance assistance.