19. (1) Unless otherwise provided, it is forbidden for any employer to make any retention of any part of the earnings of his workmen or to receive from them any subscription or contribution whatever, even with the consent of such workmen, in connection with the obligations imposed upon such employer by this act. Any agreement by which such a retention is made or such subscription or contribution received shall be null and void.
(2) Every employer who contravenes this section shall be liable, in addition to costs, to a fine of not more than fifty dollars for each offence, and shall, in addition, be bound to reimburse to the workman the amount which he has so deducted from the earnings of such workman or otherwise received from the latter.