This is important, especially for those workers who do not qualify for a 401k. There is an interesting problem where if workers get a 401k or IRA, then buyback

This is important, especially for those workers who do not qualify for a 401k. There is an interesting problem where if workers get a 401k or IRA, then buybacks probably help them by driving asset appreciation in a tax free investment vehicle. BUT, if you don't get that, then appreciating equities doesn't do you any good. In general, the answer is probably a moderate amount of all proposals. Increasing wages is certainly something that companies should be doing. Finally, some portions of buybacks are used for equity awards to employees, so it is possible that buybacks might end up as tax-privileged payments to workers, albeit not to the ones who are most dependent on wages.