Make-work job

A make-work job is a job that has less final benefit^{[to whom?]} than the job costs to support. Make-work jobs are similar to workfare but are publicly offered on the job market and have otherwise normal employment requirements (workfare jobs, in contrast, may be handed out to a randomly selected applicant or have special requirements such as continuing to search for a non-workfare job).

A classic example of make-work is "digging a hole and then filling it in."

Make-work jobs are generally considered to be harmful^{[by whom?]} to the economy as they take people out of the job market and pay them more than their job produces. However, under certain circumstances, it is understood^{[by whom?]} that make-work jobs can be a good thing such as during a depression, make-work jobs can be a less economically harmful alternative to welfare.^[1]

In a socialist nationalised economy, several of the nationalised sectors of work can be considered as make work jobs, whereby the industry being worked in does not necessarily make a profit, but is considered essential^{[by whom?]} to the national interest. In practice, however, the phrase "make-work" is more commonly only used for work that is both of negative financial benefit and also not considered to be of any other particular benefit to the national interest.

See also

• Cash assistance

References

1. ^ King, William. "Make-Work Jobs". http://william-king.www.drexel.edu/top/prin/txt/controv2/un12.html. ^{[dead link]}