The new year brings an economic boost for tens of thousands of workers statewide who rely on tips for their wages.

A new measure by the state Department of Labor will require employers to pay their tip workers the state's minimum wage of $15 per hour.

Tip workers include car wash attendants, nail salon employees, hair dressers as well as other workers whose salary is based on tips to make a living.

The state's new measure is a victory for advocates who have been fighting for years for fair pay for tip workers.

A recent investigation by the state Department of Labor found that many of the industry workers were being cheated out of their tips and were vulnerable to wage theft schemes.

The new wage requirement is expected to benefit more than 70,000 workers statewide.

The elimination of tip wage salaries will start in June and will be completely phased in by the end of 2020.

The governor says implementing the plan this way will provide some relief for workers while giving businesses time to adjust to the changes and avoid inadvertent layoffs.