Question

Explain why workers are, to a degree, coerced into selling their labor power on the market, and further explain why this gives the business class a degree of power over their workers. Explain why this degree of power changes as the level of unemployment changes.

Answer 1

Labourers are forced because they often don't have any other alternatives to earn money through the market, they have limited opportunities and scope to earn. This gives the business class a degree of power over the workers because they know, that the labourer won't get work anywhere else, thus they try to take advantage by giving them less remuneration as there are not many other opportunities available. They also try to coerce them by stating their feedback is necessary for future job and growth prospects, this forces labourers to do whatever tasks are being given to them in a timely and efficient manner.

As the level of unemployment changes, it means there are more number of jobs and avenues available for workers to get employed elsewhere. Thus even if an employer forces a labourer to do extra work, because of the availability of different jobs in the market, the labourer can also ask for a better remuneration or change the job. Thus the degree of power reduces as unemployment levels reduce.