Administrative texts from the ancient Syrian city of Alalakh refer to corvée gangs conscripted by the government for personal service. In Ugarit, on the Syrian coast, tenant farmers were subject to similar duties unless granted immunity by the king.
पू १८ व्या शतकापासून वेठबिगारी (किंवा कॉर्वी) करवून घेतली जात होती असे दाखवणारा पुरावा उपलब्ध आहे.