a cheaper workforce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cheaper workforce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing labor costs, employment practices, or economic conditions where lower wages are a factor. Example: "Many companies are relocating their operations to countries with a cheaper workforce to reduce expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Should Boeing build the 7E7 in Texas (one state being talked about), it would find cheaper land, a cheaper workforce and much less traffic.

The Economist

The CWU fears the possible franchising of individual offices or delivery rounds, as well as the potential introduction of a cheaper workforce on two-tier terms and conditions.

BBC

That's why these firms employ a cheaper workforce in India, while slashing jobs that had been held by Americans.

HuffPost

The only logical conclusion derived from such philosophy is to assume that optimally a cheaper workforce is good for business, and hence the ideal workforce would be one that costs as little as possible or nothing at all.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A cheap workforce is drawing Chinese and Turkish investors.

The Economist

"It's trying to change the southern countries into a cheap workforce, without rights or legal or work security.

The Guardian

While the original idea was that they would return to their respective countries once the Belgian economy no longer needed them as a cheap workforce, the vast majority of these men decided to stay.

University of California, Berkeley

"In many disciplines, doctoral students may be enrolled in high numbers, offering a cheap workforce," Ioannidis and his co-authors write in their paper.

Science Magazine

These migrants are attracted by the jobs offered by unscrupulous employers willing to turn a blind-eye to immigration offences in return for a cheap workforce.

Forbes

"They're a cheap workforce".

Vice

We needed a cheap workforce for our agricultural industry – especially tobacco and cotton.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing international business, use "a cheaper workforce" to objectively describe cost advantages in specific regions. For example: "Companies are drawn to countries with a cheaper workforce to lower production costs."

Common error

While it may be tempting to use terms like "lean workforce" or "cost-effective labor solution" to soften the impact of seeking lower labor costs, be transparent and accurate in your language to avoid accusations of dishonesty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cheaper workforce" functions as a noun phrase, where "cheaper" modifies "workforce". It describes the attribute of a workforce being less expensive in terms of labor costs, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a cheaper workforce" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes a labor force available at a lower cost. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively rare in occurrence, it appears most frequently in News & Media, academic and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, consider the ethical implications and strive for transparency rather than relying on euphemisms. Related phrases such as "a more affordable labor force" or "a lower-cost labor pool" can offer alternative wording, adjusting the tone or emphasis depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more affordable labor force

Replaces "cheaper" with "more affordable", softening the tone.

a lower-cost labor pool

Uses "lower-cost" instead of "cheaper", and "labor pool" instead of "workforce".

a cost-effective labor solution

Focuses on the "cost-effective" aspect, highlighting efficiency.

a lean workforce

Emphasizes reducing the workforce size, implying cost savings.

economical labor resources

Highlights the "economical" aspect of labor resources.

budget-friendly human resources

Focuses on staying within budget regarding human resources.

reduced labor expenses

Shifts focus to the expense side of labor.

a competitively priced labor market

Emphasizes the market aspect and competitive pricing.

a value-driven workforce

Focuses on the value received for the cost of the workforce.

a workforce with lower wage expectations

Directly addresses the lower wage expectations of the workforce.

FAQs

How can I use "a cheaper workforce" in a sentence?

You can use "a cheaper workforce" to describe a company's strategy to reduce labor costs, as in: "The company relocated its factory to a country with "a cheaper workforce" to increase profits."

What's a less direct way to say "a cheaper workforce"?

Consider using "a more affordable labor force" or "a lower-cost labor pool" to soften the tone, depending on the context.

Is it always ethical to pursue "a cheaper workforce"?

The ethical implications depend on factors like fair wages, working conditions, and the impact on local economies. It's important to consider these aspects when discussing or implementing strategies involving "a cheaper workforce".

How does "a cheaper workforce" affect global economics?

A cheaper workforce in certain regions can attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth, but it may also lead to job displacement and wage stagnation in other areas.