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. On 4 March 1912, President
José Batlle y Ordoñez reorganized the
Ministry of Industry, Labor and Public Instruction, the
Ministry of Industry, Labor and Communications and the
Ministry of Justice and Public Instruction. A new
cabinet reshuffle took place under the de facto government of
Gabriel Terra in 1936, organizing the
Ministry of Industry and Labor and the
Ministry of Public Instruction and Social Welfare. 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. In a final ministerial adjustment in 1974, it generates, from these two departments, the
Ministry of Industry and Commerce,
Ministry of Culture and
Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. == List of ministers ==