What alternative to slavery do you think the colonists have used to solve the labor shortage?

There were definitely other way outs for solving the labor shortage problems other than using slaves. In those days the children's and women could be made to work for small payments or benefits. Although the benefits were not enough but still this would have got rid of using slaves as labors. This process would have been mutually beneficial. The poor would have got paid to live a better life and the slaves would have been relieved of tireless working for nothing.

A possible alternative to slavery that I think the colonists could have used to solve the labor shortage is for them to give the laborers more compassion and rewards. Instead of trying to threaten or discriminate them, why not treat them fairly and that colonists would get all their commitment to work and could encourage more laborers to join.