I think efforts to distinguish between theft and "wage theft" are an unhelpful distraction. Theft and "wage theft" are both violations of law. The article show

I think efforts to distinguish between theft and "wage theft" are an unhelpful distraction. Theft and "wage theft" are both violations of law. The article shows that economic harm due to the latter far exceeds the former, yet penalties are light, spottily enforced, and usually involve no jail time for perpetrators. I don't see any nuance in "wage theft" that should shield those employers who do it from criminal prosecution and jail if found guilty. If they can't obey the law, take them off the board and leave it open for those who can. Finally, there's plenty of precedent for jail as a penalty in other economic crimes lacking any aspect of violence. Insider trading. Stock fraud. etc.