Sweatshop: meaning, definitions and examples
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sweatshop
[ ˈswɛtʃɒp ]
working conditions
A sweatshop is a workplace, often in the clothing industry, where workers are employed under poor conditions. These environments typically feature long hours, low wages, and a lack of basic rights. Sweatshops often exploit labor, particularly in developing countries.
Synonyms
exploitation, factory, labor camp.
Examples of usage
- Many fashion brands have been criticized for using sweatshops in their supply chains.
- Workers in the sweatshop earned less than the minimum wage.
- Labor activists protested against the conditions in local sweatshops.
Etymology
The term 'sweatshop' originated in the early 19th century as a reference to garment factories that were characterized by oppressive working conditions. The word combines 'sweat', which underscored the physical labor and long hours workers endured, with 'shop', indicating a place of work. As industrialization spread, particularly in the United States and Europe, so too did the emergence of these types of workplaces. The concept gained wider attention in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the rise of labor rights movements that aimed to improve conditions for workers. In the modern era, the term has come to encompass sweatshops worldwide, particularly in developing nations, where labor laws may be less stringent and workers' rights are often overlooked. This has spurred ongoing debates about ethical labor practices and corporate responsibility.