[Journal:] IZA World of Labor [ISSN:] 2054-9571 [Year:] 2014 [Issue:] 25
Public works programs in developing countries can reduce poverty in the long term and help low-skilled workers cope with economic shocks in the short term. But success depends on a scheme’s design and implementation. Key design factors are: properly identifying the target population; selecting the right wage; and establishing efficient implementation institutions. In practice, rationing, corruption, mismanagement, and other implementation flaws often limit the effectiveness of public works programs.
public works programs poverty reduction transfers safety net antipoverty program shock mitigation