A new era of labour scarcity for the US?

Washington

FORGET the "gig economy" - at least for now.

On Labor Day 2016 (Monday, Sept 5, in the US), we are in the midst of a historic transformation of the American job market. Popular attention focuses on Uber and similar Internet-based networks that unite buyers and sellers. "TaskRabbit", for example, creates a platform for people who need something done (grocery shopping, plumbing) and those willing, for a price, to do it. The free market at its best, say advocates. Not so, say critics. This creates rampant income and job insecurity.