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Fruit picking is an extreme example as it's seasonal.
Also is the term casual labour correct? A carpenter for eg is not casual, but while at the bottom of the building hierarchy is still a skilled worker. As an example they will likely earn the same now in 2018 as in 2005.
It's not so much that "building companies" (most will be self employed) will suddenly be a nice place, but that you'd have seen a normal wage increase without the competition brought by free movement.
hugo7-
Fruit picking is "extreme" but construction also has boom/bust cycles and no guaranteed income. See the stereotype of Brexit white van man.
Many people in some sectors are also self employed which means they are outside the limited protection the UK laws offer. It comes with the territory.
I don't see the automatic link between "we make immigration hard" and "better wages".
Immigration outside the EU is already hard and controlled. Will making EU immigration hard really lift the bottom incomes?
Or a normal wage increase? I get none and I am in IT. A small bonus once a year as our division is doing well and that's it. Nurse and public sector workers are also getting done. I think those days are over (sadly)
But how to fix it I am really not sure.
The UK can do with really good economists tasked with bringing things up for all. Instead we get simple answers ATM.
JWestland
Fruit picking is definitely casual labour, but nobody wants to do it/can do it due to where they live etc.
Is casual labour any better though for local people? Cash in hand jobs tend to come with very little protection.
I am not sure you can "fix it" with restricting immigration" either. The only real problem areas I know about are plumbers/builders etc. that now complain other immigrants do it for less. Lets say immigration is restricted, will building companies all of a sudden play nice?