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Removing most of the exemptions to the overtime requirement of the Fair Labor Standards Act would be a good start.[1] Bigger penalties for non-compliance, like triple damages, would help, too.

[1] http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs23.pdf

Exactly. Adopting a world wide standard based on the European Working Time Directive would be a step in the right direction.

They need to negotiate things like this in trade agreements. Labor standards need to be the similar worldwide and not be a race to the bottom.

Why would any country agree to this if others do not? And it is a big advantage to be able to outwork your competitors so there will always be holdouts.

In the context of a trade agreement.

If they don't agree to harmonized rules, then they aren't part of the trade agreement, and they pay a tariff on all exported goods to balance it out.

Unions? Seems to be the only proven to be working solution.

I wonder though if high paid professionals are actually looking for lower hours or just more pay. That is, is it the employers or the employees driving it? Perhaps some companies are willing to hire part timers but can't find suitable applicants?