The Ministério do Trabalho e Emprego, or the Employment and Work Ministry, is a long-established government organization formed as far back as 1912, initially under the title Conferedação Brasileira do Trabalho, or CBT.

It was initially a long-term program of operational revitalization, where various pillars of the Brazilian work system were established - the introduction of the eight hour workday, a six day workweek, and the construction of houses for workers, as well as worker's compensation for accidents on duty.

By 1930 the Ministry was established by former military dictator Getúlio Vargas, with national departments created in employment, commerce, statistics, and population, as well as a secretary of the state.