low-wage workforce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "low-wage workforce" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it in a sentence like, "The company was able to cut production costs by outsourcing to a low-wage workforce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The low-wage workforce has shot up and is now almost at US levels, he reckons.

The Guardian - Opinion

The explorer provides a wide range of other information on the state's low-wage workforce, including demographics, job characteristics, industries, occupations, use of public assistance programs and geography.

University of California, Berkeley

A new interactive data explorer from the Labor Center at UC Berkeley offers an in-depth look at the people who make up California's low-wage workforce.

University of California, Berkeley

This low-wage workforce, nearly three-quarters nonwhite and concentrated in two industries — retail trade, and restaurants and other food services — has also become older and more highly educated.

University of California, Berkeley

This has helped to keep exports competitive, but in some industries it has been used as a means of obtaining a low-wage workforce on short-term contracts.A new law seeks to prevent the misuse of sub-contracting.

The Economist

While firms may headline their requests for spending cuts and tax breaks as demands for a "flexible and innovative economy", what their behaviour tells us they really want is a low-wage workforce and less competition.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

There's even less experience or understanding of what will happen when such an enormous wage boost is imposed on communities with high unemployment, large, low-wage workforces and low costs of living.

Los Angeles Times

Multibillion-dollar corporations like Walmart count on federal benefits like SNAP to sustain their low-wage workforces (and then profit when employees turn around and spend their benefits in-store).

Huffington Post

In her conclusion today, Judge Corley says California may want to "address this stark dichotomy" — that is, the rise of the gig economy and the "creation of a low wage workforce performing low skill but highly flexible episodic jobs".

TechCrunch

These changes, generally implemented at the state and local level, affect child care providers, a primarily low-wage female workforce, and their ability to earn a livelihood.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

This raises the question of whether the United States should be doing more to make academic careers more attractive to Americans instead of continuing to pursue a low-wage foreign workforce.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic disparities, use the phrase "low-wage workforce" to accurately represent the segment of the population earning minimal wages. This avoids generalizations and promotes precise communication.

Common error

Don't assume that all individuals within the "low-wage workforce" lack education or skills. Many hold essential jobs and are actively seeking opportunities for advancement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "low-wage workforce" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is used to identify and describe a specific segment of the working population.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

28%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "low-wage workforce" accurately identifies a segment of the population engaged in work that provides minimal compensation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in writing. It is commonly employed across diverse fields like news, academic research and business and economics discussion. Analysis of its linguistic function indicates its role as a noun phrase used to categorize and describe a specific group. The phrase exhibits a neutral register. When using this term, it is crucial to avoid generalizations and recognize the diverse circumstances and aspirations within the workforce. By following these best practices, we can communicate effectively and promote accurate representation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low-paying labor pool

Replaces "workforce" with "labor pool" and "wage" with "paying", emphasizing the available supply of workers in low-paying jobs.

underpaid labor force

Substitutes "low-wage" with "underpaid", highlighting the insufficient compensation of the workers.

poorly compensated employees

Replaces "workforce" with "employees" and uses "poorly compensated" instead of "low-wage", focusing on the compensation aspect.

minimum wage earners

Specifies that the workforce earns minimum wage.

low-income workers

Uses "low-income" to describe the workers, focusing on their income level rather than their wages.

working poor

This is a more concise term that directly implies people who are employed but still live in poverty due to low earnings.

economically disadvantaged workers

Emphasizes the economic hardship faced by these workers.

vulnerable workforce

Highlights the precarious situation of workers earning minimal wages.

precarious workers

Focuses on the instability and insecurity associated with low-wage employment.

lower end of the pay scale

Describing "low-wage workforce" with a more generic description of compensation.

FAQs

How can I use "low-wage workforce" in a sentence?

You can use "low-wage workforce" to describe a group of workers who earn minimal wages. For example, "The company relies on a "low-wage workforce" to keep its production costs down."

What are some alternative phrases for "low-wage workforce"?

Alternatives include "underpaid labor force", "low-paying labor pool", or "minimum wage earners" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "low-wage workforce" in formal writing?

Yes, "low-wage workforce" is appropriate in formal writing when discussing economics, labor, or social issues. It is a neutral and descriptive term.

What factors contribute to the growth of a "low-wage workforce"?

Factors contributing to a growing "low-wage workforce" can include globalization, automation, and a decline in union representation.