work for less than the wage to which [such] the employe is
entitled under this act shall be no defense to [such] the
action. [The court in such action shall, in addition to any
wages and damages, allow a reasonable attorney's fee and costs
of the action to the plaintiff.] An employe's previous wage or
salary history shall not be a defense to an action.
(a.3) At the request of any employe paid less than the wage
to which he is entitled under this act and due any damages as a
result of a violation, the [Secretary of Labor and Industry]
secretary may take an assignment of such wage and damages claim
for collection and shall bring any legal action necessary to
collect such claim. The secretary shall not be required to pay
the filing fee or other costs in connection with such action.
The secretary shall have power to join various claimants against
the employer in one cause of action.
(a.4) The Attorney General may also bring an action to
collect unpaid wages on behalf of one or more employes, as well
as damages, equitable relief and attorney fees and costs. The
costs and attorney fees shall be paid to the Commonwealth. The
Attorney General shall not be required to pay any filing fee or
other cost in connection with the action.
(b) Any action pursuant to the provisions of this act must
be brought within two years from the date upon which the
violation complained of occurs[.] unless the violation is a
wilful violation, in which case the action must be brought
within three years from the date of the violation. For the
purposes of this section, a violation occurs when:
(1) a discriminatory wage decision or practice is adopted;
(2) an individual is subject to a discriminatory wage
decision or practice; or
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