At a time (prior to the Civil War) when people of African descent were enslaved in America, there were also people of European descent who were not literally slaves, but who were so heavily dependent upon their employers as to have no real option of quitting or of finding other employment; they were therefore similar to slaves.
Progressive used the term "wage slaves" to highlight the economic dependence and lack of agency that many workers experience due to low wages and limited job options. By comparing them to slaves, Progressive aimed to draw attention to the unjust power dynamics in the labor market and advocate for workers' rights and improved working conditions.
Progressives used the term "wage slaves" to describe the economic circumstances in which workers were treated more like expendable commodities by large corporations, lacking power, security, and fair wages. They sought to highlight the inequality and exploitation within the industrial system of that time.
Wage Slaves - 2009 was released on: USA: 22 July 2009 (internet)
many people worked all the time and made barely enough money to survive~apex
Wage Slaves - 2009 Alicia - 1.4 was released on: USA: 4 August 2009
Many people worked all the time and barely made enough money to survive
Wage Slaves Not Getting by in America - 2002 TV was released on: USA: August 2002
many people worked all the time and made barely enough to survive
Many people worked all the time and made barely enough money to survive. Apex :)
Wage Slaves - 2009 Dirk 1-5 was released on: USA: 11 August 2009
Wage Slaves - 2009 Mitch 1-2 was released on: USA: 21 July 2009
Wage Slaves - 2009 Bloopers 1-7 was released on: USA: 25 August 2009