Well, what responsibility does an employer have to an employee? Is it a paternalistic relationship? Once you employ someone, are you thereafter responsible for their well being for the rest of their life? Or is it an economic transaction between relative equals, where either may end the relationship and go on their way? Or something in between?
In my mind, it's more the latter. The ditch diggers are grown adults and should be capable of taking care of themselves.
The paternalistic approach has been tried, but it has some unpleasant side-effects e.g. Ford spying on his factory workers to monitor their behavior in their off hours. Personally, I'd find it infantilizing.
From the employer's perspective, it's not much of a choice. If a steam shovel exists, you can buy one and lay off your workers, or you can wait for your competitor to buy one and put you out of business, then you lay off your workers anyway.
In my mind, it's more the latter. The ditch diggers are grown adults and should be capable of taking care of themselves.
The paternalistic approach has been tried, but it has some unpleasant side-effects e.g. Ford spying on his factory workers to monitor their behavior in their off hours. Personally, I'd find it infantilizing.
From the employer's perspective, it's not much of a choice. If a steam shovel exists, you can buy one and lay off your workers, or you can wait for your competitor to buy one and put you out of business, then you lay off your workers anyway.