Both raw intuition and past experience suggest that the success of an employment guaranteescheme (EGS) in safeguarding the welfare of the poor depends both on the wage itpromises, and the ease with which any worker can gain access. An EGS is thus at once awage guarantee and a rationing device....

One important concern of governments in developing countries is on how to phase-out largesafety nets programs. This paper evaluates the short run effects of one possible exit strategy,programs that promote self-employment, in Argentina. We provide evidence that a smallfraction of beneficiaries...