Sinclair compares slavery to immigrant workers of Packingtown. The immigrants lose their power of agency and self-sufficiency because of economic powersthat they cannot control. Corrupt capitalists and politicians control the economy. They pay low wages and then con immigrants out of these wages with poor quality goods and overpriced services. immigrants often do not understand the culture or language, they have no way to guard themselves against such abuse. All of their money go towards shitty goods and services that keep them in poverty.