Schneiderman: $2.7M Collected In Effort To Fight Wage Theft

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says efforts to crack down on wage theft are paying off.

The Democratic attorney general released a report Friday indicating that his office recovered more than $2.7 million in back wages in the past year. The money was supposed to be paid to more than 1,500 low-wage workers in industries including fast-food, health care, taxi cabs and construction.

Schneiderman says his office is committed to ensuring employers follow the law when it comes to paying proper wages and overtime. His office also has taken aim at businesses that require employees to agree to unfair non-compete agreements.

Since 2011 the attorney general's office has forced businesses to pay nearly $30 million in back wages to more than 21,000 workers.