Economics

Surplus Labor

Surplus Labor

Surplus labor is a concept used by Karl Marx in his critique of political economy. It means labor performed more than the labor important to produce the means of livelihood of this worker. The “Surplus” with this context means the extra labor a worker should do in his job, beyond earning own keep. According in order to Marxian economics, surplus labor is often uncompensated labor. Marxian economics respect surplus labor because the ultimate source connected with capitalist profits.