Wage slavery

Wage slavery is a term used to draw an analogy between slavery and wage labor by focusing on similarities between owning and renting a person. The term wage slavery suggests that wage workers are deprived of significant rights, and that the conditions of their employment are not fully voluntary.

History

The concept of wage slavery has a long history, dating back to the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries. During this time, rapid industrialization led to the growth of factories and the mass employment of wage laborers. The term was used by the labor movement to describe the working conditions of these laborers, who were often subjected to long hours, low pay, and unsafe working conditions.

Criticism

Critics of the concept of wage slavery argue that it is a misleading term that fails to recognize the voluntary nature of wage labor. They argue that wage workers have the freedom to choose their employment and to negotiate the terms of their employment.

See also

• Capitalism
• Exploitation
• Labor rights
• Working class