The ministry

The tasks of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) are to create employment opportunities and to foster modern industrial relations and an activating social security system, and to do so by developing feasible policies that can be monitored.

The Ministry's tasks lie in following areas:

Employment and the labour market

The Ministry fosters employment and ensures that the labour market is functioning properly. In doing so, the Ministry also focuses on disadvantaged groups, such as the long-term unemployed, the occupationally disabled and ethnic minorities.

Social security

The Ministry helps people who are on benefits regain the ability to support themselves as quickly as possible. The Ministry guarantees an income for pensioners and for people who are incapable of working to support themselves.

Income

The Ministry advocates a balanced distribution of income. The Ministry is responsible for setting the statutory minimum wage and the guaranteed minimum income from benefits.

Industrial relations

The Ministry fosters good industrial relations between employers and employees. The dual objective is to facilitate and stimulate modern industrial relations and to protect workers’ rights.

Working conditions

The Ministry promotes safety and health at work. The main aims of the Ministry’s occupational safety and health policy are to prevent absence due to illness and occupational disability, and to encourage timely reintegration.