Washington ? Republicans on Tuesday embraced election-year revisions to the nation’s overtime pay rules, saying changes to an earlier Bush administration plan would take away extra pay from far fewer white-collar workers.

Democrats expressed concern. The administration, said Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, “simply is not trustworthy on the issue.”

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said the final version, released Tuesday, would allow more white-collar workers to remain eligible for overtime than in a draft proposal issued 13 months ago. Blue-collar workers are unaffected.

“Workers will clearly know their rights and employers will clearly know their responsibilities,” she said. The revisions, which do not need congressional approval, will take effect in 120 days.

Workers who gain overtime protections include lower-wage retail and restaurant managers. Middle-income workers such as office workers, cooks, inspectors, paralegals, licensed practical nurses and technicians “will have their rights better protected,” the department said.

Police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians are named as holding jobs that will not lose overtime protections.

The revisions would permit those earning up to $100,000 a year to continue collecting premium pay if they log more than 40 hours a week.

Workers losing overtime include pharmacists, funeral directors and financial services experts. Department officials said legal challenges and case law have made clear those jobs are exempt from overtime.

Democrats were wary of the changes.

“It’s possible that the administration has had an election-year conversion on overtime, but I hope you’ll pardon me if I remain skeptical,” Harkin said. He led Senate opposition to the earlier version of the proposed regulations.

The revisions come at a time when jobs and pocketbook issues are among voters’ chief concerns.

President Bush has improved his standing in polls on domestic issues, but questions linger about the strength of the labor market and his plan to create jobs.