[Pseudoscience-is-malarkey (OP)]

Top-rated hotels/resorts in poorer countries usually cost little. But I can't help but notice that they seem to run on quasi-slave labor. And if you venture outside the tourist-designated areas as I often do south of my country's border (I speak passable Spanish) you see a contrast like no other - people living in "houses" that almost look like they're made out of cardboard. I don't know.

[alancalverd]

How much would the quasi-slaves earn if there were no tourists?

[Pseudoscience-is-malarkey (OP)]

How much would the quasi-slaves earn if there were no tourists?

None, I admit it. But there is exploitation going on. You have to admit that.

[alancalverd]

Given the choice between exploitation and unemployment, I'd probably choose exploitation, particularly if unemployment would lead to starvation.

Face it, no employer pays above the market rate. If you want to increase wages in country X, set up a factory/mine/farm/hotel/whatever and pay what you think is fair. You will get the pick of employees and everyone else will have to pay your rates to get the good guys.

[paul cotter]

Similar to this question is the phenomenon of "sweat shops" in Bangladesh turning out cheap clothes for the western market. Many decry such practices but I have heard the "other side of the coin", as it were: these establishments have lifted a whole cohort of young women out of dire poverty and given them a degree of independence.

[alancalverd]

It's easy to forget that it took over 2000 years of bloodshed and misery to replace the Roman slave economy with a comfortable capitalist democracy. The notion of paid employment and legal currency for all was a key element in that development.

[Petrochemicals]

Don't you feel terrible using your iPhone made by poor  Chinese workers  with the profits holding up a dictatorial regime? Do you not feel awful using Saudi oil and Russian gas, German coal for your BMWs etc, Mexican Cocaine,  fruit and vegetable. Out of sight out of mind, so don't leave the hotel.

All hospitality is virtually slave labour, even in your homeland Canada the hotels probably provide food and accommodation that they deduct a great percentage of the legally enforced wage from.

[paul cotter]

I don't have an I-phone(never had one), if I had a bmw I doubt it would run on coal and I don't use cocaine(never have) so that's me absolved of multiple sins.

[alancalverd]

All hospitality is virtually slave labour,

Average Waiter Salary in the UK - Reed.co.uk
The Average Waiter salary in the UK is ?25,334 Low ?24,122 High ?26,384

Plus tips. Not huge, but liveable.

[Petrochemicals]

so that's me absolved of multiple sins.

Now you're getting it!

[Petrochemicals]

All hospitality is virtually slave labour,

Average Waiter Salary in the UK - Reed.co.uk
The Average Waiter salary in the UK is ?25,334 Low ?24,122 High ?26,384

Plus tips. Not huge, but liveable.

Thank goodness, I thought there was perpetual minimum wage and loopholes. They may be legally entitled to those tips soon as well, they will be rolling in it.