The processes of globalization have succeeded in shifting the focus from productive employment generation and expansion of domestic markets to export competitiveness. The disastrous effects of such a shift have been exacerbated by the recent global crisis. The need of the hour is to rethink public works programs to mitigate such effects and to move societies towards full employment. The paper addresses precisely these issues with arguments for rethinking public works programs for the skilled and unskilled workforce. The question of externalities, principle of financing and the positive social impacts of inclusion are also discussed.
