"Vetflyer", like you I'm not hopeful that things will change. Unfortunately part of the problem is that as long as people continue to agree to work for a pittance then employers are going to take advantage of them. We're our own worse enemies.
The last time that I was "between jobs" it took me three months, a lot of CV's/ phone calls, and numerous discussions with employers who wanted me to work for next to nothing before I found my current job. Basically it's not easy.