Which policy would best support workers displaced by automation?

• A. Freeze hiring in industries affected by automation.
• B. Provide tax relief for technology firms implementing automation.
• C. Offer paid retraining and job-placement assistance for affected workers.
• D. Mandate early retirement for workers over 50.

Answer: (C)

When thinking about policies to support workers displaced by automation, the most effective approach focuses on helping people transition to new roles through skill upgrading and active placement support. Providing paid retraining and job-placement assistance directly addresses the disruption by equipping workers with in-demand skills and matching them to opportunities, which reduces unemployment duration and preserves income stability for individuals and communities. This aligns with ethical duties to protect workers and promote fair opportunity in a changing economy.

The other options don’t address the transition as directly. Freezing hiring in industries affected by automation slows the labor market’s adaptation and can prolong hardship without offering a path to new jobs. Tax relief for technology firms implementing automation tends to benefit employers and may not translate into retraining or new employment for workers who lose their jobs. Mandating early retirement for workers over 50 removes people from the workforce based on age, which is unfair and undermines the goal of helping workers adapt to new technologies.