R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-12-20: Assignment of wage claim and action by department.

At the written request of an employee paid less than the wage to which he or she is entitled under or by virtue of this chapter, the director of labor and training or the commissioner of minimum wage may take an assignment of the employee’s wage claim in trust for the assigning employee and may bring any legal action necessary to collect the claim, and the employer shall be required to pay the costs and any reasonable attorney’s fees that may be allowed by the court.