Final answer:
A job scam refers to employment opportunities that require applicants to pay a fee before being hired, often resulting in no actual job and financial loss for the applicant. Examples include asking for money for training or background checks for non-existent jobs. It is crucial to be wary of such scams to avoid being defrauded.
Step-by-step explanation:
Employment that requires an applicant to pay a fee before being hired is referred to as a job scam. This type of deceptive practice makes false promises of employment, often requiring payment upfront for training, background checks, or other supposed prerequisites, but the job either doesn't exist or doesn't live up to the promises made. It is important to be cautious of these scams, as they can result in financial loss without leading to actual employment.
An example of such practices can be seen in a scenario where a construction worker is laid off and seeks new employment. If this individual encounters an opportunity that requires payment before even starting the job, this should be a red flag that it may be a scam.
In contrast, the situation described in the U.S. town with a mining company could be identified as an example of economic exploitation, which is different from a job scam. The company's practices of inflating prices and keeping workers in debt create a dependency that is akin to historical forms of coerced labor.