Economic exploitation refers to the unfair treatment of individuals or groups in economic systems, where one party benefits at the expense of another. This often occurs when workers are paid low wages or denied benefits while their labor generates significant profits for employers or corporations. This practice can be seen in various contexts, such as sweatshops where workers endure poor conditions for minimal pay, or in colonialism, where resources from one region are extracted for the benefit of another. Economic exploitation can lead to social inequality and hinder overall economic development.