How useful is it to require companies to give workers some shares and some seats on the board of directors?

This won't directly give most poor people a decent life. It won't do anything for the unemployed, the retired, the students, or those who cannot work. It won't do anything for the millions who are compelled to be "independent contractors".

But it could be one part of restraining corporations from predatory behavior and from lobbying for more suffering and inequality.