UNFREE LABOUR Meaning and
Definition
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Unfree labour refers to a condition in which individuals are forced to work under exploitative and oppressive conditions against their will. It involves the denial of basic human rights and the absence of freedom of choice or mobility regarding employment. Unfree labour has historically been associated with forms of slavery, indentured servitude, debt bondage, and forced labor.
In the context of slavery, unfree labour involves the complete ownership and control of individuals by another person or a group. Slaves were considered as property, bought and sold, and subjected to harsh physical and psychological treatment. They were forced to work for their owners without compensation or with minimal remuneration.
Indentured servitude refers to a contractual agreement in which people voluntarily bound themselves to work for a certain period in exchange for necessities such as transport, lodging, or education. However, they often ended up in exploitative conditions, with little or no control over their working conditions and limited ability to terminate their contract.
Debt bondage occurs when individuals are forced to work to repay a debt, which might have been taken by themselves or by their ancestors. These debts can be fraudulent or inflated, trapping them in a cycle of servitude, with little hope of ever repaying the debt in full.
Forced labor involves the coercion of individuals to work through threats, violence, or economic manipulation. It often targets vulnerable populations, such as migrants or those living in poverty, who are tricked or lured into exploitative working conditions.
Overall, unfree labour refers to any form of work that deprives individuals of their fundamental rights and freedom, exploiting their labor and denying them the option to choose their employment or escape from oppressive conditions.
Etymology of UNFREE LABOUR
The term "unfree labour" is a combination of two words: "unfree" and "labour".
The word "unfree" is derived from the prefix "un-", which means "not" or "opposite of", and the word "free", which originates from the Old English word "freo" meaning "not in bondage" or "having personal and political liberties". So, "unfree" essentially means "not free" or "lacking personal and political freedoms".
The word "labour" comes from the Old French word "labour" and the Latin word "labor". It originally referred to physical or mental exertion, specifically related to work or toil.
