Non-free labor is unfortunately one of the biggest issues in the twenty-first
century. Not only does it affect poor countries, but also it is possible to find
examples in rich countries. One of the reasons for explaining this situation is that
development and demand of different products in the global market makes it
impossible for producers to meet the consumers’ requirements unless they cut
down expenses in the production process. The working force is often the element
in the production chain that suffers the cutting down of expenses the most, so that
workers are paid less and less money, and in many cases no money at all, living in
a near-to-slavery condition. The aim of this chapter is to define what non-free
labor is, as well as to analyze the different economic sectors where we can find
examples of non-free labor, describing in the end the main actions that governments
undertake to stop such practices.
