Pieceworker: meaning, definitions and examples
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pieceworker
[ ˈpiːsˌwɜrkər ]
work arrangement
A pieceworker is an individual who is paid per piece of work completed rather than receiving a standard hourly wage or salary. This compensation model is often used in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and crafts, where workers produce items or complete tasks that can be easily quantified. Piecework allows workers to potentially earn more based on their efficiency and output, incentivizing them to work faster. However, it can also lead to varying income levels depending on the volume of work available and individual productivity.
Synonyms
commission worker, contract worker, freelancer
Examples of usage
- The factory hired several pieceworkers to increase production.
- As a pieceworker, she earned more during busy seasons.
- He preferred to be a pieceworker because he could control his income.
Translations
Translations of the word "pieceworker" in other languages:
🇵🇹 trabalhador por peça
🇮🇳 पीसवर्कर
🇩🇪 Stückarbeiter
🇮🇩 pekerja berdasarkan hasil
🇺🇦 працівник за частинами
🇵🇱 pracownik akordowy
🇯🇵 ピースワーカー
🇫🇷 travailleur à la pièce
🇪🇸 trabajador a destajo
🇹🇷 parça başı çalışan
🇰🇷 조각 노동자
🇸🇦 عامل بالقطعة
🇨🇿 kusový pracovník
🇸🇰 pracovník na kusy
🇨🇳 计件工人
🇸🇮 delavec na kos
🇮🇸 verkamanneskja
🇰🇿 бөлшек жұмысшы
🇬🇪 ნაკვეთური მუშა
🇦🇿 parça işçisi
🇲🇽 trabajador a destajo
Etymology
The term 'pieceworker' emerged during the 19th century, primarily in relation to the rise of industrialization. As factories began to dominate the labor landscape, the traditional agricultural and artisanal forms of labor were gradually supplanted. Workers found themselves in environments where standardized production became crucial, leading to the piecework payment system. This system was particularly attractive to employers as it allowed for flexibility in labor costs and incentivized productivity. Historical records indicate that piecework was common in textile mills, where workers were compensated based on the number of garments produced. Over time, the concept of piecework extended beyond factories into various other sectors, influencing how labor is organized and compensated. Today, while piecework is still prevalent in some industries, the implications of this pay structure—especially regarding worker rights and income stability—continue to be topics of significant discussion and reform.