The problem I've always had when "job guarantees" come up is what about those that can't work? Be it from disability, age, or something else. Would we also need a separate welfare system in place for these people? If so why not just have one system like basic income that provides for everyone.

The other problem I have is that these are most likely to be busy work jobs. With something like basic income you could spend your time doing whatever you want. Anything from nothing, to art, to working for a company.

I don't know if basic income has any major downsides (I'm not an economist by any means), but to me guaranteed jobs seem like a worse alternative.

The problem with a job guarantee is that you're forcing people to sell their time in order to live. This is nearly the definition of an exploitative economic relationship and borders on state run slavery.

Just wanted to point that the idea is to offer an alternative job, not to force nobody to do anything. Currently, in a lot of countries, unemployment payment just run for a while and only if you worked before. Then, if you can't find a job you have a serious problem.

Job guarantee also "force" a minimum wage in the economy without need of big controls. It can be though as another automatic stabilizer.

Anyway, maybe you are right. I haven't made up my mind about it yet.