slave wage

English

Etymology

Probably from the idea that the wage is so low that someone receiving it is nearly or de facto enslaved.

Noun

slave wage (plural slave wages)

1. A very low amount of money paid to a worker for a specified quantity of work.

   Coordinate terms: living wage, minimum wage, family wage, maximum wage

   • 1995, “United Kids”, in Set Your Goals (cassette), performed by Civ, Lava Records, →OCLC:

     What's the situation? / An un-united nation / Working for a slave wage / What would you pay? / Kicking down a closed door / Something you could fight for / It's time to pull up / your head off the floor

Related terms

• wage slave, wage slavery