ALBANY — Workers who report being underpaid or otherwise mistreated on the job are getting stronger protection against employer retaliation under a state law that takes effect this week.

The law increases the minimum penalty against employers from $200 to $2,000 and the maximum from $1,000 to $10,000.

Whistleblowers are already protected from firing, demotion, reassignment and pay cuts.

The state Department of Labor last year collected and paid $24.6 million to 17,000 workers affected by labor-law violations.