For example, I live in Romania. The net minimum wage here is around 2700 lei, and many jobs (especially entry-level ones) pay that amount or close to it. The cheapest rent in the city is about 1500 lei per month. You literally can’t survive on the remaining 1200 lei. Sex workers are judged harshly, but for me it’s the only job that allows me to live comfortably while also having time to focus on university, especially since my parents can’t support me financially because they are poor themselves.
a lot of this is brainwashing by the rich and powerful. they need the poor motivated and working to make the rich even richer. paying the workers scraps and telling them to work hard is more profitable than paying them a fair wage.
when paid properly the workers would be happier and more productive. but that’s still less profitable for the ones at the top