The state Senate approved a bill yesterday that would ensure California’s farm workers receive overtime pay for any time worked over 8 hours per day, or 40 hours per week. The current standard is to pay overtime to laborers after 10 hours per day and 60 hours per week. Opponents to the bill say that it will end up doing more harm than good, because farmers may have to cut hours or choose to grow crops capable of being mechanically harvested. Supporters hope that Governor Jerry Brown will pass the bill they say is a matter of fairness and equality. After a 22 to 15 approval on Monday, the bill now goes to the Assembly.
