The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs () was a department of the Albanian Government charged with the responsibility to protect and safeguard the interest of workers in general and the poor, deprived and disadvantaged sections of the society. The Ministry was dissolved on 13 September 2017 and its departments were merged with other ministries. Most of its functions are now performed by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
History It was first established on 13 January 1945 by the first Communist government that emerged from that year's elections under the name of the Ministry of Social Assistance.
Since the establishment of the institution, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has been reorganized by joining other departments or merging with other ministries, thus making its name change several times. This list reflects the changes made since 1992: Ministry of Social Assistance (Ministria e Asistencës Sociale) Ministry of Labor, Immigration, Social Assistance and former Political Persecuted (Ministria e Punës, Emigracionit, Përkrahjes sociale dhe ish të Përndjekurve Politikë) from 1992 to 1996 Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (Ministria e Punës dhe e Çështjeve Sociale) from 1996 to 2002 (dissolved) Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (Ministria e Punës dhe e Çështjeve Sociale) from 2003 (re-established) to 2005 Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (Ministria e Punës, Çështjeve Sociale dhe Shanseve të Barabarta) from 2005 to 2013 Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth (Ministria e Mirëqenies Sociale dhe Rinisë) from 2013 to 2017 (dissolved)
The ministry was dissolved in September 2017. The department of labour and social affairs was merged with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, while the Youth Department joined the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth.
Officeholders (1945–2017) 1Bedri Spahiu13 January 194521 March 19462Theodhori Bej11 May 19914 June 19913Dashamir Shehi13 April 19923 December 19944Engjëll Dakli9 December 199410 July 19965Arlinda Keçi11 July 19961 March 19976Elmaz Sherifi11 March 199723 April 19987Anastas Angjeli24 April 199827 September 19988Kadri Rrapi2 October 199825 October 19999Makbule Çeço28 October 19996 September 200110Skënder Gjinushi6 September 200125 July 200211Valentina Leskaj29 July 200229 December 200312Engjëll Bejtaj29 December 200310 September 200513Koço Barka10 September 20056 October 200814Anastas Duro6 October 200815 May 200915Viktor Gumi15 May 20098 September 200916Spiro Ksera9 September 200915 September 201317Erion Veliaj15 September 201311 May 201518Blendi Klosi26 May 201519 March 201719Olta Xhaçka24 March 201722 May 201720Xhulieta Kërtusha22 May 201713 September 2017
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