Worker Shortage or Wage Shortage?

As the nation begins to reopen, business are reporting that they can’t find people to hire to fill openings. Meanwhile the unemployment rate is sitting at 6.1%.

What’s behind the disconnection? Is it really a labor shortage, is it that workers are tired of being exploited, or is it that our pandemic protection programs are making people choose to stay out of the workforce altogether?

What can be done to close the gap?

Could this ultimately lead to positive changes for American workers?

*This is US centric, but I’m always interested in hearing what’s going on in other nations. Are there similar problems abroad?