A workplace with very poor, socially unacceptable or illegal working conditions. Sweatshop. Sweatshops are factories from the Industrial Revolution era where workers, often including children, were exploited with long hours and low wages.
During the Industrial Revolution, sweatshops became common as factories sought to produce goods quickly and cheaply. These workplaces often had unsafe conditions, long hours, and paid workers very little, responding to the demand for mass-produced goods. This was a major issue because it highlighted the need for labor rights and regulations to protect workers. Today, sweatshops still exist globally, affecting the production of items like clothing and electronics, often involving child labor. For example, when buying a cheap T-shirt, it might have been made in a sweatshop, meaning we can choose to support fair trade brands that ensure better conditions for workers.
