Labor Exploitation

Definition

Labor exploitation refers to the unjust and oppressive treatment of workers, often involving low wages, long hours, hazardous working conditions, and a lack of basic worker rights. It can also involve forced labor or slavery-like practices.

Related terms

Encomienda System: A system used by the Spanish colonizers that granted landowners the right to use indigenous people as laborers in exchange for their protection and Christianization.

Mission System: A system implemented by Spanish missionaries where indigenous people were forced to work on church-owned lands under harsh conditions while being converted to Christianity.

Repartimiento System: A labor system in Spanish colonies where indigenous people were required to provide a certain amount of labor annually for Spanish settlers or authorities.