The Department of Labor is empowered to enforce the provisions of the fair labor standards act which includes child labor, minimum wage and overtime pay. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, although many states have much higher minimum wages. What is the primary purpose of having a federal minimum wage? The current administration would like the minimum wage to raise to $10.10 per hour. Please list the pros and cons of raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 per hour. Do you agree with the $10.10 proposal? Go to www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm and find the minimum wage for your state and compare your state to other states. What are your initial reactions to the significant differences in minimum wage from state to state? Why do states choose to have a higher minimum wage than the federal government requires?