> It is established through unceasing efforts of activists, who pushed for it, precisely in order to exploit the negative connotations of the word “theft” to describe something that is not what people typically associate with the notion of theft.
Source? I think this term has been in general use for at least two generations.
You're very much wrong then. It was not commonly used until 2003, when it really took off, and today it's used around 500 times more often than 20 years ago. Suffice to say, wage theft is not a 500 times bigger problem now compared to then.
I was asking more about the "unceasing efforts of activists" part. That seems like it would've been controversial but I don't remember hearing anything about it. Who were they?
Your "unceasing but uncoordinated efforts of activists" sounds indistinguishable from people adopting the term because it's useful. Is there a better, less loaded term you'd prefer they use?
Source? I think this term has been in general use for at least two generations.