R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-6-20

An employer who or that violates the provisions of § 28-6-18 shall be liable to the employee or employees affected in the amount of their unpaid wages, and in an additional equal amount of liquidated damages. An action to recover the liability may be maintained in any court of competent jurisdiction by any one or more employees for and in behalf of himself or herself or themselves and other similarly situated employees. At the request of any employee paid less than the wage to which he or she is entitled under §§ 28-6-17 — 28-6-21, the director of labor and training may take an assignment of the wage claim in trust for the assigning employee and may bring any legal action necessary to collect the claim, and the liquidated damages provided for above. The director of labor and training shall not be required to pay the filing fee or other costs in connection with the action. The director of labor and training shall have the power to join various claimants against the employer in one cause of action.