Future Endeavor
1967
In 1967, the Eraphalian Senate passed the "Industrial Automation Act" and the "High Education Assistance Program Act" succession. Both acts were designed to compliment each other and as such, they were called the twin acts. The significance of these two acts can be found in the current state of Eraphalian industrial capabilities. Eraphalian think-tanks have concluded years before the passing of the two acts that the further progress of technology will minimalize the workers needed for a factory. From this, there can be a significant loss of employment and a possible crisis in the amount of educated workers needed.
The "High Education Assistance Program Act" or simply known as HEAPA was first formulated to ensure an increase in educated citizens entering into the workforce. Designed to help fund college education it also established several federal trade schools that focused on industry-related education. Like previous acts, HEAPA cut portions of a student's bill depending, however, the percentages for HEAPA is far greater than its predecessors. HEAPA also took a step further by offering complete free college education under the form of scholarships.
The "Industrial Automation Act" or IAA targets factories and manufactories that were already existing and future ones as well. Aiming to curb excess waste, the government passed regulations to help the environment while at the same time subsidizing the factories. Following that, the government mandated the increase of automation in blocks. These blocks were separated by years and every so year, selected factories would undergo reconstruction.
While HEAPA was praised as a progressive step, the IAA was criticized for being radical and potentially devastating. Fearing unemployment, factory workers rose up in protest of the IAA, which they see as an attack on the working class. Following mounting pressure from strikes and protests, the government was forced to pass a new law to reform the IAA and to include new policies.
The "Temporary Insurance Act" or TIA was passed by a slim margin by the Senate to reform the IAA. In 1969, the TIA would assure that current industrial workers would not fear unemployment due to the IAA and if they are to be unemployed by the IAA, they would be assured equivalent pay for five years.
The results of the three acts can be seen today in Eraphalia. Its industry is something few can scoff at and it prides itself in the automation of its manufacturing.