WASHINGTON (AP) — The D.C. Council is scheduled to vote on a bill that would enhance penalties for employers who pay their employees illegal wages or less than what they agreed to pay.

There appears to be broad support on the council for the bill, known as the Wage Theft Prevention Act, ahead of Tuesday’s vote. Advocates who pushed for a minimum-wage increase in the District of Columbia have taken up the cause, saying wage theft disproportionately affects low-wage workers and immigrants who lack any legal recourse when their pay is stolen. Proponents say wages are commonly stolen from construction, restaurant, security and domestic workers.

The bill would allow workers to seek formal hearings if they claim their wages are stolen and increase penalties for employers who are found at fault.

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