This trend is caused in part by the infusion of information technology, requiring fewer production workers. However, a significant drop in the share of workers producing goods has been occurring throughout the twentieth century, regardless of the growth of ITI industries. By the end of the twentieth century this number had dropped to less than 20 percent. The significant drop in production workers corresponds to an increase in service workers. While the FLSA clearly was intended to protect production workers, it was not intended to exempt service workers.
Service workers are a very diverse group.
Employment in this industry is five times larger today than 40 years ago. These last two were virtually non-existent in 1959. Each of these industries requires discussion with regard to minimum wage and overtime protection. Medical services accounted for six million workers in 1999 and has increased twelve-fold since 1959. Personnel services accounted for three and a half million workers in 1999, while computer services accounted for slightly less than two million workers.