Ministry of Social Affairs

A Ministry of Social Affairs or Department of Social Affairs is the common name for a government department found in states where the government is divided into ministries or departments. While there is some variation in the responsibilities of such ministries, the common thread between them is their responsibility for assisting members of society who are in a vulnerable position due to age, dependence on government aid, or being the employee in an employee/employer relationship. Ministries of this type cover matters such as social work, social protection and assistance, pensions, welfare, health and social security, and workplace standards for employees.

Examples of such ministries include:

Minister of Social Affairs (Iceland)

The Minister of Social Affairs (Icelandic: Félagsmálaráðherra) was a cabinet position which existed between 17 April 1939 and 1 January 2008. The Ministry of Social Affairs existed alongside the minister after 1 January 1970 when the Cabinet of Iceland Act no. 73/1969 took effect since ministries had not formally existed separately from the ministers. On 1 January 2008 the position became Minister of Social Affairs and Social Security (Icelandic: Félags- og tryggingamálaráðuneytið) and the ministry itself was also renamed accordingly. On 31 December 2010 the Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Security was merged with the Ministry of Health and Social Security to form the Ministry of Welfare.

List of ministers

Minister of Social Affairs (17 April 1939 – 1 January 2008)

Minister of Social Affairs and Social Security (1 January 2008 – 31 December 2010)

References

Minister of Social Affairs (France)

The Minister of Social Affairs and Employment (French: Ministre des Affaires sociales et de l'emploi is a cabinet member in the Government of France. The position was originally known as Minister of Labour (Ministre du Travail), created in 1906, and later, Minister of Labour and Social Security Provisions (Ministre du Travail et Prévoyance sociale). After its 1906 creation, the Inspection du travail (IT, Labour Inspection) service was integrated to it.

After the Second World War, the position was renamed Minister of Social Affairs. In its current state, the position was brought back in 1981 (after almost a decade) under the presidency of François Mitterrand—as a result of the economic situation of France in the 1980s—to oversee issues of social exclusion, unemployment, racism, sexism and social justice.

The seat of the ministry is the hôtel du Châtelet, an 18th-century neoclassical palace located in the 7th arrondissement of Paris.

Third Republic