slave wages
Barely survivable pay
Slave wages are pay so low it barely sustains survival—compensation that exploits workers who have few alternatives.
The term draws a comparison to slavery, suggesting the worker has little more freedom than an enslaved person: They expect us to work overtime for slave wages.
Often used to criticize exploitative labor practices.
Exploitative manufacturing workplace
- underpaidGiven inadequate wages
- cheap laborUndervalued workforce services
- forced laborCompelled toil, no consent
- indentured servitudeContractual unfree labor for term
overwork · coercion · human trafficking · child labor · migrant workers · garment industry · plantation · domestic workers
Insultingly small payment
- hand-to-mouthConsuming resources immediately
- paycheck to paycheckNo savings between wages
- working poorEmployed but below comfort
- food insecurityUncertain access to adequate meals
scraping by · struggling · destitution · impoverishment · hardship · basic needs · unlivable
Disparity in earnings distribution
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- unethicalViolating moral standards
- pay disparityUnequal earnings between groups
- exploitationSelfish use of others
labor rights · fair compensation · collective bargaining · union busting · class divide · working poor · corporate greed · profit margins
sweatshop
Exploitative manufacturing workplace
- underpaidGiven inadequate wages
- cheap laborUndervalued workforce services
- forced laborCompelled toil, no consent
indentured servitude · overwork · coercion · human trafficking · child labor · migrant workers · garment industry · plantation · domestic workers · farm laborers
pittance
Insultingly small payment
- hand-to-mouthConsuming resources immediately
- paycheck to paycheckNo savings between wages
- working poorEmployed but below comfort
food insecurity · scraping by · struggling · destitution · impoverishment · hardship · basic needs · unlivable
income inequality
Disparity in earnings distribution
- discriminationUnjust differential treatment
- unethicalViolating moral standards
- pay disparityUnequal earnings between groups
exploitation · labor rights · fair compensation · collective bargaining · union busting · class divide · working poor · corporate greed · profit margins
slave wagesliving wage
Income covering necessities
top dollar · executive compensation · six-figure salary · golden parachute · union wages
slave wagesfair compensation
Appropriate payment for work
employee ownership · equitable pay · profit-sharing · profit sharing
slave, wages, slaves, slaved, slaving, slavery, slavish, slavishly, enslaved