Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (i) of § 31-58, minors between the ages of sixteen and eighteen years who are employees of the state or any political subdivision thereof shall be paid a minimum wage of not less than eighty-five per cent of the minimum fair wage as defined in said subsection, and notwithstanding the provisions of said subsection, minors between the ages of fourteen and eighteen who are agricultural employees shall be paid a minimum wage of not less than eighty-five per cent of the minimum fair wage as defined in said section except agricultural employees between the ages of fourteen and eighteen who are employed by employers who did not, during the preceding calendar year, employ eight or more workers at the same time shall be paid a minimum wage of not less than seventy per cent of the minimum wage, as defined in said § 31-58.