Trump Reverses Biden's Federal Contractor Wage Boost
President Donald Trump rescinded an executive order from Joe Biden that required federal contractors to pay a minimum wage of $17.75. Biden had increased the wage with automatic updates, impacting about 20% of the U.S. workforce. Trump's decision affects earlier appeals court rulings supporting Biden's mandate.

In a significant shift, President Donald Trump has repealed an executive order by former President Joe Biden that mandated federal contractors pay workers a minimum wage of $17.75 an hour. The reversal is part of Trump's broader move on Friday night to dismantle nearly 20 Biden-era policy directives.
Previously, Biden had increased the federal contractor minimum wage starting at $15 with automatic updates that reached $17.75, affecting approximately 20% of the nation's workforce under contracts with major companies. Earlier orders by Barack Obama had set this wage at $10.10 in 2014, with subsequent periodic increases.
Trump's rollback also includes eliminating requirements that encouraged neutrality in union campaigns and participation in government-backed apprenticeship programs. While Trump's administration hasn't detailed the rationale, critics suggest Biden's policies raised competitive and cost barriers, particularly for small businesses.
(With inputs from agencies.)
ALSO READ
The Role That Wasn't: Barack Obama Declines 'Severance' Season 2 Offer
Trump to sign executive orders 1900 GMT, White House says
UPDATE 1-Trump plans executive order to strengthen US shipbuilding, blunt China domination
EXCLUSIVE-US to levy fees on ships linked to China, push allies to do similar – draft executive order
EXCLUSIVE-US to levy fees on China-linked ships, push allies to do likewise, draft executive order says