day labor

American  

noun

1. workers hired on a daily basis only, especially unskilled labor.

2. work done by a day laborer.

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Etymology

Origin of day labor

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Ernesto Ayala, the site coordinator at the Van Nuys Day Labor Center in the Home Depot parking lot, said ICE agents have been to the site several times, as recently as a few weeks ago.

From Los Angeles Times

He changed jobs again, picking up better-paying day labor shifts, and said he no longer hoped to attend night school.

From New York Times

In this last twist, according to a foreman on the site, a city contractor had hired a labor broker, who in turn went out to day labor sites to find workers to clean out the camp for the lowest wages possible.

From Salon

There are the big ones, like Black Friday and the Super Bowl, and then smatterings around and in-between with Memorial Day, Labor Day, and some others.

From The Verge

Nowadays, when he’s not working day labor to earn some money, he’s out on Seattle’s streets cutting hair and trimming beards, offering a little love and attention to people who don’t have much.

From Seattle Times