Subminimum wage is exactly what it sounds like: people — specifically, those with disabilities — are being paid less than the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, legally, due to a section in the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Based on the perceived impact that an employee’s disability has on their ability to perform the job, the federal government allows employers to pay certain employees below the federal minimum.

Unfortunately, many businesses have been profiting off of hiring people with disabilities because of the laws that allow subminimum wage to exist. Not only were over 2,900 people being paid less than minimum wage in SC at the beginning of 2020, but many of their employers were engaging in problematic practices and benefiting from Medicaid funding and business contracts.

People with disabilities want equal access to employment opportunities but barriers like the subminimum wage bill keep them from achieving that. For years, people with disabilities have made below the federal minimum wage while companies profit off of their labor. Resources like Hire Me SC and Able SC help people with disabilities search for employment, discover their career interests, and learn to advocate for fair and equal employment.

We encourage you to learn more about subminimum wage and the new SC Statehouse bill. To take action and support this bill, you can contact your local representatives here or email hiremesc@able-sc.org for additional ways to show support.

Yes, we said that right: SUBminimum Wage.