relief-works

The government funded relief-works to provide jobs during the economic downturn.

Definition

Noun (plural only): "Relief works" refers to employment schemes, typically involving public construction or infrastructure projects, that are created by governments or organizations specifically to provide jobs for unemployed people during times of economic hardship.

Usage Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to be on relief works": to be employed in such a scheme.

  • He was on relief works for six months after losing his factory job. (He worked in a government job program for the jobless.)

• "relief works as a temporary measure": these schemes are often seen as short-term solutions rather than permanent employment.

  • The mayor described the new projects as relief works, not long-term career opportunities. (The projects were intended to provide immediate jobs.)

Variants and Related Words

• Relief (n): assistance or aid given to those in need, often including money or food.

  • The charity provided relief to families affected by the flood. (Aid in a time of crisis.)

• Works (n plural): projects or activities involving construction or labor.

  • The public works department handles city maintenance. (Official projects for the community.)

Synonyms

• Job creation scheme: a program designed to produce employment.
• Public works program: a government-funded project for building or improving public facilities.

Related Idioms

• "make-work": a job or activity that is created to keep someone busy rather than for genuine productivity.

  • Some critics called the cleanup project make-work, not real relief works. (Work created mainly to occupy people.)

• "workfare": a system requiring unemployed people to work in exchange for welfare benefits.

  • The state introduced workfare, but it was different from traditional relief works. (A program linking benefits to labor.)

Phrasal Verbs

• "set up relief works": to establish such employment schemes.

  • The administration set up relief works across the region. (Created job programs for the jobless.)

• "fund relief works": to provide money for these projects.

  • The national budget funded relief works in rural areas. (Allocated money for employment schemes.)