"Today, millions of Americans aren't getting the extra pay they deserve. That's because an exception that was originally meant for high-paid, white-collar employees now covers workers earning as little as 23,660 U.S. dollars a year," Obama said during a White House event, referring to the so-called "white collar" exemption in the overtime pay rules which makes the executive, administrative, and professional employees not eligible for extra work payment.

　　"It doesn't make sense that in some cases this rule actually makes it possible for salaried workers to be paid less than the minimum wage," he noted.

　　According to the White House, salaried workers who make more than 455 dollars a week and those who fall within the "white collar" exemptions are ineligible for overtime pay. Only 12 percent of salaried workers fall below the threshold that would guarantee them overtime protections.

　　In the signed memorandum, Obama instructed the Labor Secretary to update regulations regarding who qualifies for overtime protection. The memorandum was one of executive actions taken by the President so far this year, underscoring his pledge to bypass the Congress when necessary to act on his own to push forward his agenda.

　　Improving the overtime regulations consistent with the memorandum the President signed on Thursday could benefit " millions of people who are working harder but falling further behind," the White House said.