forced labor
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forced labor
Work that a person is forced to do against their will, often under threat of violence or other punishments.
Historiker untersuchen die Bedingungen der Zwangsarbeit in der Zeit des Nationalsozialismus.
Historians are examining the conditions of forced labor during the Nazi period.
The word is made up of 'der Zwang' (compulsion, force) and 'die Arbeit' (work). So the meaning is literally 'forced work,' which clearly describes the concept.
Unter Zwangsarbeit versteht man jede Arbeit, die nicht freiwillig geleistet wird.
Forced labor means any work that is not performed voluntarily.
Common phrases are 'Zwangsarbeit leisten müssen' (to have to perform forced labor) or 'zur Zwangsarbeit gezwungen werden' (to be forced into forced labor). These passive constructions emphasize that the person has no choice.
Millionen von Menschen wurden während des Krieges zur Zwangsarbeit gezwungen.
Millions of people were forced into forced labor during the war.
This word has a very serious and mostly historical meaning. It is used for severe human rights violations such as slavery or in totalitarian regimes, and it is not a word for everyday complaints about having a lot of work.
Zwangsarbeit ist nach internationalem Recht verboten.
Forced labor is prohibited under international law.
child labor
'die Zwangsarbeit' and 'die Kinderarbeit' are both often connected with exploitation and harsh working conditions. The most important difference is the focus: 'Zwangsarbeit' means that people are forced to work against their will, often under threat or violence. 'Kinderarbeit' means that children work, especially when this is illegal or harms their health and education. The words can be confused because child labor can also be forced. Even so, not all child labor is automatically forced labor, and forced labor can also affect adults. So pay attention to whether the focus is on the coercion or on the age of the people working.
Der Bericht beschreibt Zwangsarbeit in einer Fabrik, in der Menschen nicht frei gehen durften.
The report describes forced labor in a factory where people were not allowed to leave freely.
Die Organisation kämpft gegen Kinderarbeit, weil viele Kinder deshalb nicht zur Schule gehen können.
The organization fights against child labor because many children cannot go to school as a result.