undercutting of wages

USAGE SUMMARY

"undercutting of wages" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which wages are reduced or kept low. For example, "The undercutting of wages in the industry has led to a decrease in the quality of employees' work".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Sources close to the union said the position was only reluctantly agreed because the EU has done nothing about undercutting of wages, and was failing to save the steel industry.

The Guardian

Immigration would be "properly managed" under Labour and he said his changed immigration policy would tackle undercutting of wages, ensure people in public services spoke English and make sure immigrants had to wait longer to claim benefits.

BBC

Undercutting of wages and conditions would not constitute a criminal offence but could be used as evidence of exploitation.

The Guardian

But we will address the concerns that people have raised in the undercutting of wages and conditions, and the pressure on local public services".

The Guardian

Red lines on Brexit – like access to the single market while addressing people's concerns about "the undercutting of wages and conditions" – were drawn.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Instead, a Labour government will go further and work to raise employment standards throughout Europe to stop the undercutting of wages and strengthen every worker in Europe.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

He should have been talking to other European leaders about action to save our steel industry; about how to stop the spread of low pay and insecure jobs, and end the undercutting of wage rates and industry-wide agreements through the exploitation of migrant workers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And it won't put a penny in the pockets of workers in Britain or stop the undercutting of UK wages by the exploitation of migrant workers".

The Guardian

Instead, his remains a powerful voice legitimating a general distrust of Muslim, Hispanic and Black Americans -- with Muslim Americans increasingly treated by his predominantly white working-class base as a threat to core American values and security, and Hispanic Americans treated as disproportionately prone to sexual violence, illegal entry and the undercutting of American wages.

Huffington Post

She said: "She is letting gangs get away with shocking exploitation - treating human beings like animals, undercutting local wages and jobs, and undermining both the local economy and the credibility of the immigration system".

The Guardian

After decades of hostility toward immigrants, arguing that they push down wages, the A.F.L.-C.I.O. has changed course and concluded that the best way to prevent immigrants from undercutting American wages is to grant them legal status and unionize them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the economic impact of immigration or globalization, use "undercutting of wages" to highlight the potential negative effects on local labor markets. This phrase is particularly effective in debates about fair labor practices and economic inequality.

Common error

Avoid using "undercutting of wages" when referring to standard salary negotiations or adjustments based on performance. This phrase carries a negative connotation, implying unfair or exploitative practices, unlike legitimate discussions about compensation.

Linguistic Context

"Undercutting of wages" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action of reducing or suppressing wages, often in an unfair manner. Ludwig's examples show its use in discussing economic and political contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undercutting of wages" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes the act of unfairly reducing or suppressing wages. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently employed in news and media contexts to discuss issues of economic inequality and labor exploitation. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it carries a negative connotation due to its association with unfair labor practices. Alternatives such as "wage suppression" or "wage deflation" may be used depending on the specific context. When writing about wage issues, it's important to use "undercutting of wages" accurately to avoid misrepresenting standard salary negotiations as exploitative practices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wage suppression

This alternative directly indicates the act of keeping wages low, often through unfair means.

wage deflation

This phrase points to a decrease in wage levels, implying an economic context.

wage stagnation

This suggests that wages are not increasing, remaining fixed over a period.

reducing wage levels

This alternative specifies the action of diminishing wages.

decreasing salary

Focuses on a direct reduction in salary amount.

lowering labor costs

This encompasses a broader perspective of reducing expenses related to employment.

minimizing payroll expenses

Highlights the effort to cut down on the total amount spent on employee compensation.

driving down wages

This suggests an active effort to reduce wage levels, potentially through competitive pressure.

wage erosion

Implies a gradual decline in the real value or purchasing power of wages over time.

salary reduction tactics

Emphasizes the strategies or methods employed to bring down salary expenses.

FAQs

How can I use "undercutting of wages" in a sentence?

You can use "undercutting of wages" to describe situations where employers unfairly lower wages, such as "The company's strategy of "undercutting of wages" led to a strike by the employees."

What's a good alternative to "undercutting of wages"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "wage suppression", "wage deflation", or "reducing wage levels".

Is "undercutting of wages" a formal or informal phrase?

"Undercutting of wages" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly used in news articles, academic discussions, and everyday conversations when discussing labor economics and worker exploitation.

What is the difference between "undercutting of wages" and "wage negotiation"?

"Undercutting of wages" implies an unfair or exploitative lowering of wages, while "wage negotiation" refers to a formal discussion and agreement on salary adjustments, which is a standard and often fair labor practice.