Final answer:
The special rules regarding minimum wage apply specifically to a) harvesters, who are subject to exemptions and different standards compared to other workers. A rise in minimum wage can affect workers' hours and overall income, with part-time workers potentially working fewer hours but earning more due to wage increases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The category of employees that is subject to special rules regarding minimum wage, including exemptions for harvesters, employees who are paid in commissions, and deductions for room and board, is a) Harvesters. Workers like harvesters often possess specialized abilities and training which allows them to operate complicated equipment with little supervision. However, these types of workers, along with employees paid in commissions, may have different minimum wage standards compared to typical hourly or salaried employees.
Regarding the debate on hiring illegal workers, it is important to note that while hiring and underpaying or not paying illegal migrant workers may occur, it is both unlawful and unjust. All workers, regardless of their legal status, should be afforded their rights, including receiving at least the minimum wage.
Another aspect to consider is how a rise in minimum wage impacts employment hours and earnings. For example, a minimum wage worker with multiple part-time jobs might see a net increase in annual income with a 10% wage increase even if their work hours decrease by 2% due to employers adjusting to higher labor costs. This is because the increase in pay offsets the slight reduction in hours worked.