Inflation Ahead?

 I'm seeing media reports of a looming labor shortage--restaurants are reopening but can't find help.

My local supermarket seems to be having staffing problems as well. 

This raises the possibility of inflation coming.  If the labor supply at the low end has been disrupted by the pandemic and possibly the Trump crackdown on immigration, wages will have to rise at the lower end.  Perhaps that will diminish our inequality, or perhaps the better paid among us will try to maintain the wage gap and push for more pay themselves.

We'll see. 

The Problem of Gig Workers, Farm Workers

Strikes me that the infamous "gig workers" and farm workers share some problems, though their situations are different. (Before I proceed, apparently there's at least confusion or  doubt over how significant the sign economy is.)

As I understand gig workers, they may be working for larger companies, like Uber or Lyft, or for smaller ones.  Farm workers, except in the case of the large fruit and vegetable outfits, are usually working for smaller employers.

In both cases, the worker is unlikely to get fringe benefits--health and disability insurance, minimum wage protection, etc.  The problem for farmers is the paperwork burden.  The problem for the workers is the power situation--almost impossible to organize.

I wonder if a state-mandated broker setup might work.