Debt Bondage

/ˈdɛt ˈbɒndɪdʒ/

Definitions

  1. (n.) A form of modern slavery where a person is forced to work to pay off a debt under exploitative conditions, often perpetuating indefinite servitude.
    The court ruled that the workers were victims of debt bondage under international law.

Forms

  • debt bondage

Commentary

Debt bondage commonly arises in vulnerable economic contexts; legal definitions often emphasize coercion and impossibility of repayment to differentiate from lawful debt agreements.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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