Workers don't make city stop growing.

[Raneman]

Building workers in the early game is pretty annoying, because it puts you at a population disadvantage. Settlers I don't mind as much, but workers are absolutely essemtial.

 

[Semmel]

Then, if your capital is a food-rich but hammer-weak city, you would never be able to get a good start. I dont think thats a good idea..

 

[RegentMan]

Building workers in the early game is pretty annoying, because it puts you at a population disadvantage.

The AI builds them as well, so they're getting the same disadvantage. It is a strategic decision: when do I build my first worker? Right after the settler? Before the settler? Right out of the gate? Each has its pros and cons, but it is a decision you have to make.

 

[DisAstro]

And, IMHO, that decision adds to the early game phase. I hope they keep it in.

 

[LDiCesare]

Since they are so important, it should not be automatic to build them, so it should cost something valuable to make you think about it. Hence food/population.