Are websites like Textbroker illegal? Many TB writers earn less than the minimum

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   SantaCruzposted 13 years ago

   Are websites like Textbroker illegal? Many TB writers earn less than the minimum wage.
   
   Lawyers, please chime in! Websites like Textbroker pay lower-level writers just one or two cents per word. Obviously, the writers are independent contractors -- but this seems like slave labor. Many skilled writers are earning less than the minimum wage at TB because they're desperate for cash.

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   blake4dposted 13 years ago

   I make a good amount of money on Textbroker. Yes you are right about 1 0r 2 cents a word, but you will make less than that on sites like Hubpages on average.

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   LindaSmith1posted 13 years ago

   Textbroker simply lists work available for other people. It is the client that pays for the service through Textbroker.   Jobs listed on Freelancer pay much less. At least the writer knows what the pay is if they choose to do an article up front. The writer then can accept a  job or not. Like Blake said, it pays more than article submission sites pay, and you don't even know what your earnings will be, other than a few pennies.

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4. 80

   jenniferrpoveyposted 13 years ago

   The minimum wage does not apply to contractors.

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5. 75

   SantaCruzposted 13 years ago

   Thanks, Jennifer. That's what I was looking for.
   
   What a shameful situation. I've seen Textbroker article requests from lawyers, dentists and other professionals who easily make $100+/hour -- and they're paying other Americans the equivalent of $4 an hour to promote their practices?
   
   Grrr.

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   bravewarriorposted 12 years ago

   They actually pay more than most out there.  Most employers hiring thru freelance sites pay $2 for a 500 word article.  If it takes an hour to research, write, proof and edit again, what does that equate to per hour?  Most online jobs pay by the piece and they definitely do not factor time involved in what theypay! How do they expect anyone to earn a living that way?  Unfortunately, you do what you have to do until you can build a viable portfolio.

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