Peon
A person subject to unfree labour or wage labor with little control over work conditions
Real World Example
During the Global Age from 1420-1750, the concept of a peon referred to laborers who were bound to work under harsh conditions with little freedom, often seen in colonial territories like the Americas. This system was important for European colonizers because it allowed them to exploit local and imported labor to extract resources and build economies in new lands. The idea responded to the need for cheap, controlled labor to support expanding empires and economic interests. Today, the concept still matters as it highlights ongoing issues of labor exploitation and workers' rights in many parts of the world, reminding us of the importance of fair labor practices. A modern example is factory workers in some countries who work long hours for low pay, lacking the power to improve their conditions, similar to historical peons.
