padrone
Exploitative labor boss
A padrone is a master, boss, or employer—especially one who exploits immigrant workers.
The term comes from Italian and historically described labor contractors who brought workers (often Italian immigrants) to the United States and controlled their employment, housing, and wages, frequently through debt bondage.
The padrone system flourished in the late nineteenth century.
The word can also mean simply an Italian innkeeper or proprietor.
Workplace superior
- proprietorBusiness holder
- contractorHired construction professional
- crew bossWorker supervisor
- sweatshopExploitative manufacturing workplace
hiring · wages · workers · farmhands · laborers · exploitation · employment · overseer
Of or from Rome's country
- immigrantOne who resettles abroad
- paesanoItalian rural compatriot
- NeapolitanOf a southern Italian city
- SicilianFrom Italy's largest island
Little Italy · old country · don · signore · capo · compare · godfather · Italian-American
One who rents property
- rentPayment for temporary use
- propertySomething owned or inherent
- leaseTemporary use contract
- evictionForced departure from rental
boarding house · lodging · tenement · residence · dwelling · housing · apartment · deposit
Contracted to serve
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- child laborMinors performing paid work
- debt bondageCoerced labor repaying loans
- contract laborWork performed by non-employees
immigration history · reform · Progressive Era · investigation · regulation · labor law
One who gives aid
- sponsorFunder of activities
- supporterOne who backs another
- backerFinancial supporter
- financierManager of substantial funds
protector · advocate · client relationship · favoritism · political boss · influence · loyalty · obligations
boss
Workplace superior
- proprietorBusiness holder
- contractorHired construction professional
- crew bossWorker supervisor
sweatshop · hiring · wages · workers · farmhands · laborers · exploitation · employment · overseer · taskmaster
Italian
Of or from Rome's country
- immigrantOne who resettles abroad
- paesanoItalian rural compatriot
- NeapolitanOf a southern Italian city
Sicilian · Little Italy · old country · don · signore · capo · compare · godfather · Italian-American · Ellis Island
tenant
One who rents property
eviction · boarding house · lodging · tenement · residence · dwelling · housing · apartment · deposit · occupancy
indentured
Contracted to serve
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- child laborMinors performing paid work
- debt bondageCoerced labor repaying loans
contract labor · immigration history · reform · Progressive Era · investigation · regulation · labor law
benefactor
One who gives aid
financier · protector · advocate · client relationship · favoritism · political boss · influence · loyalty · obligations · reciprocity
- organized crimemafia, mob, the mob, syndicate, crime syndicate
padroneservant
One employed to serve
laborer · worker · apprentice · subordinate · underling
padronelabor advocate
One championing employee rights
emancipator · liberator · abolitionist · protector · advocate