In a system known as kurzarbeit, or “short-time work,” the German government pays up to two-thirds of the salary of employees who would otherwise be laid off, as long as they remain employed. The employer is expected to cover any hours actually worked and to keep up their pension and benefit payments.
I think something like this was mentioned when the US was looking at the Stimulus, by members here.
Not the same as what Canada did, but we did concentrate on manufacturing with our "stimulus"
there was too much "pork" and temp. jobs in the US plan, in my opinion. Not enough emphasis on creating new jobs or expanding industries. obama said that "green jobs" were to be created, but once again those jobs were in the service side of that industry, not the manufacturing. One example would be the Wind Turbines that they purchased from offshore. So all that was created was installation and service jobs.