This government department is also responsible for acting as mediator of the parties when there are internal conflicts, and defending the rights of workers and enforcing them by their employers.

The Ministry is headquartered in the Juncal Street in Ciudad Vieja, Montevideo.

The current Minister of Labor and Social Welfare is Pablo Mieres, who has held the position since 1 March 2020.

[1] The existence of a government department dealing with labor and social security issues dates back to the creation of the Ministry of Industry, Labor and Public Instruction, created on 12 March 1907 by President Claudio Williman by dividing the former Ministry of Development.

After the constitutional reform produced in March 1967, the Ministry of Labor was created, the first holder of the position was Enrique Vescovi, while Héctor Hugo Barbagelata was the first undersecretary.