The state Department of Labor recovered $84,000 in wages to North Country workers who were not paid the proper minimum wage, overtime pay or fringe benefits in 2014, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.

According to DOL statistics, 376 workers were paid an average of $223.30. The North Country region includes St. Lawrence, Franklin, Jefferson, Clinton, Essex, Lewis and Hamilton counties, the DOL said.

Statewide, 27,000 workers received $30.2 million in underpaid wages and benefits, setting a new record. This is a 35 percent increase over 2013, the DOL said.

The DOL’s Division of Labor Standards, which investigates wage theft, says they have improved their operations and are processing cases faster. They say there has been a downturn in the number of open cases and most are turned around in six months.

“Every person who works should be paid according to the law,” Acting State Labor Commissioner Mario J. Musolino said. “The Department of Labor is committed to educating businesses and workers about their rights and responsibilities and cracking down on employers who knowingly break the law.”