Element6 wrote:I am not sure if it is the case with your neighbor but when I have heard of such cases where people seem to be hired for such low wages there has always been a back story - eg they are part of the extended family, they are part of the extended family and there is a family debt, the renter has or is paying schooling for other relatives connected to this one, etc. I have not found a case where 2 people completely unknown and unconnected to each other have agreed a working wage at this level.

I presume there is also very little upside available in terms of overtime. A lot of garment workers are paid minimum wage (plus allowances) then work overtime every day and weekends (in the less scrupulous companies Saturdays AND Sundays) having them walk out with a salary over $300 per month. Whilst to us that may seem abhorrent, many i have spoken to say it is better to work OT as then they are not out spending money, they are in a safe environment and they get food. A very different perspective than mine but their main motivation is very different than mine.