As it's always been the case [and practice] among the business communities the world over - keep the wages below living standards, employing as few as possible while trying to squeeze the same work and production out of those minimal number of staff. It's always about [unnecessary] labour issues - never mind their general overhead expenses, inventory, and production costs.
I've a personal motto regarding business in general: if one can't afford to pay your employees a living/decent salary, than you shouldn't be in business. Usually applies to corporation types more so than smaller or mid-range business models.