In response to growing industrialization and concerns about worker safety and rights, the United States government passed a series of labor laws in the late 1800s and early 1900s. These laws regulated things like child labor, working hours, and workplace safety. The most significant of these was the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which was passed in 1938.
The FLSA established a minimum wage, set limits on the number of hours that workers could be required to work, and prohibited certain forms of child labor. It also created the Wage and Hour Division within the Department of Labor to enforce these provisions.
The FLSA has been amended several times over the years, most recently in 2009. These amendments have increased the minimum wage, expanded coverage to more workers, and made it easier for employees to file complaints about violations.
Overall, these reforms have had a positive impact on workplaces in the United States. They have helped to ensure that workers are paid fairly for their work, are not required to work excessive hours, and are protected from hazardous conditions.