The Secretary of Labor and Industry shall have the duty, but not the exclusive right, to enforce and administer the provisions of this act, to investigate any alleged violations of this act and to institute prosecutions and actions as provided hereunder. Nothing in this act shall authorize the secretary to initiate a civil action for unpaid wages which are subject to disposition under grievance and arbitration procedures of a collective bargaining agreement. The Department of Labor and Industry shall have the power to make rules and regulations for the administration of this act.

Every employer shall keep open to inspection by the secretary or his authorized representative, all payroll records or other records or documents relative to the enforcement of this act. Such inspection may be made by the secretary or his authorized representative at any reasonable time. Every employer shall permit the secretary or any authorized representative to interrogate any employe in the place of employment and during work hours with respect to such records or documents. Where such records are maintained at a central record keeping office outside of the Commonwealth, such records shall be made available for inspection at the place of employment within seven calendar days following verbal or written notice from the secretary or his authorized representative. Where a microfilm or any other method is authorized for record keeping purposes, the employer shall make available to the secretary or his authorized representative, the equipment which is necessary to facilitate review of the records.