Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs
Agency overview
Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales

Formed	1919 (Weimar Republic), 1949 (West Germany)
Jurisdiction	Government of Germany
Headquarters	Wilhelmstraße 49 10117 Berlin 52°30′45″N 13°23′01″E / 52.51250°N 13.38361°E / 52.51250; 13.38361
Annual budget	€164.920 billion (2021)
Minister responsible	Bärbel Bas, Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs

Main Entrance on Wilhelmstrasse

The Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs (also known as BMAS) is an important part of the Government of Germany. It is like a special department that helps make rules and plans about jobs, social support, and fairness for people in Germany. The person in charge is called the Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, and they are part of the Cabinet of Germany, which is like the main team of leaders for the country. The ministry has offices in Berlin and Bonn.

How the Ministry Started
- Early Days of the Ministry
- Changes Over Time
Leaders of the Ministry
- Ministers in Early Germany
- Ministers in Modern Germany
Ministry Building
Images for kids
See also

How the Ministry Started

The idea for this ministry began a long time ago.

Early Days of the Ministry

The first version of this ministry was created on February 13, 1919. This was during a time in Germany called the Weimar Republic. It took over from an older office that dealt with labour issues during the German Empire.

The first Minister for Labour was Gustav Bauer. He was a politician from the Social Democratic Party.

Changes Over Time

In January 1933, during a big change in Germany's history, Franz Seldte became the Minister for Labour. He officially held this job until 1945.

After World War II, a new German government was formed in West Germany. The Ministry for Labour was started again on September 20, 1949, in Bonn.

Later, in 2000, the main office moved to Berlin. It is now in a building that has a long history.

For a few years, from 2002 to 2005, the ministry was combined with other departments. But in 2005, it became its own ministry again, focusing on labour and social affairs. Its German name was also updated to Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales.

Leaders of the Ministry

Many different people have been in charge of the Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs over the years. They are called Ministers.

Ministers in Early Germany

Hubertus Heil, a recent Minister

Here are some of the people who served as Ministers of Labour in Germany before 1945:

Gustav Bauer (1919)
Alexander Schlicke (1919–1920)
Heinrich Brauns (1920–1928)
Rudolf Wissell (1928–1930)
Adam Stegerwald (1930–1932)
Hermann Warmbold (1932, acting)
Hugo Schäffer (1932)
Friedrich Syrup (1932–1933)
Franz Seldte (1933–1945)
Theo Hupfauer (1945)

Ministers in Modern Germany

Since 1949, when the Federal Republic of Germany was formed, these people have served as Federal Ministers:

Anton Storch (1949–1957)
Theodor Blank (1957–1965)
Hans Katzer (1965–1969)
Walter Arendt (1969–1976)
Herbert Ehrenberg (1976–1982)
Heinz Westphal (1982)
Norbert Blüm (1982–1998)
Walter Riester (1998–2002)
Wolfgang Clement (2002–2005, as part of a combined ministry)
Ulla Schmidt (2002–2005, as part of a combined ministry)
Franz Müntefering (2005–2007)
Olaf Scholz (2007–2009)
Franz Josef Jung (2009)
Ursula von der Leyen (2009–2013)
Andrea Nahles (2013–2017)
Hubertus Heil (2018–2025)
Bärbel Bas (Since May 6, 2025)

Ministry Building

The main building of the ministry has an interesting past. It was once used by another government office. Inside the building's courtyard, there is a large art piece called La Grande Fenêtre (The Big Window) by artist Daniel Buren.