Massachusetts assesses more than $11.8 million in restitution and penalties against employers in most recent fiscal year

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The Massachusetts Attorney General’s office assessed more than $11.8 million in restitution and penalties against employers over wage theft and other violations in fiscal year 2022 ended June 30, it announced Monday.

More than 19,000 workers were assisted by the office, the AG reported.

The amounts included $7.5 million in restitution to employees and $4.2 million in penalties to Massachusetts’ general fund.

One focus for the year was on the construction industry, where Massachusetts’ Fair Labor Division assessed more than $2.9 million in penalties and restitution and issued 217 citations.

It also garnered $951,000 in penalties and restitution from companies in the hospitality industry.

Another focus was making sure employers provide workers with at least one 30-minute meal break per six hours of work. In one case, the division cited retailer Family Dollar $1.5 million in penalties across 100 locations in Massachusetts for more than 3,900 meal break violations affecting 620 employees, according to the office.