DCHP-3

make-work

DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)
adj. — Politics, Administration

a government-funded project or program for job creation.

Type: 5. Frequency — In the Canadian context, the term has been specialized from general 'busy work' to refer especially to government-sponsored programs that stimulate the economy. As Chart 1 shows, the term is most frequent in Canada, outnumbering the US and UK attestations by a factor of about 10.
See also COD-2, s.v. "make-work".

Quotations

1944
The board of control agreed that city projects providing post-war employment should be brought to the blueprint stage so that work can be started at short notice. It was felt that unless sound projects are planned ahead fof time and enabling legislation passed, the city may have to resort to last minute make-work projects of little economic value.
1953
In fact, it would be subsidizing the low productivity, make-work restrictions, and general irresponsibility of the building unions.
1958
We rid ourselves of unemployment to the extend that we rid ourselves of inflation: we get men back into jobs-productive, not make-work jobs-to the extend that we get value back into the dollar.
1971
Away with the make-work concept where students were given labor simply to give them something to do.
1990
"We don't need make-work projects to give people 10 or 14 weeks work." Mr. Cloutier said. "We need to eliminate certain methods of fishing. If we don't, the problem will only get worse," [....]
2001
The main thing is to give backbenchers more to do - and not just make-work but work that truly influences the country's business.
2008
Dumb insolence is the poor man's defence against unreasonable regulation, the employee's protection against orders that make no sense or are simply ill-tempered in their origin -- make-work projects or punitive chores.
2013
Despite this seemingly insurmountable stumbling block, as well as complaints the treaty process is just another make-work program for aboriginal people, Pierre is confident the system is working. That's why Pierre opted to accept another term as treaty commissioner.
2016
There seems to be a lot of sentiment out there that FireSmart is a big joke, a make-work project that creates more problems than it solves. For example: Thinning trees increases blowdown risk. True enough. And allows more grass growth, thereby increasing fuel for ground fires. True also.

References

  • COD-2

Images

Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 9 Jun. 2016

Chart 1: Internet Domain Search, 9 Jun. 2016