Piet Aalberse

Petrus Josephus Mattheus Aalberse
File:PietAalberse1871-1948.jpg
Minister of Labour
In office 25 September 1918 – 24 November 1922
Preceded by	none
Succeeded by	none
Minister of Labour, Trade and Industry
In office 24 November 1922 – 4 August 1925
Preceded by	none
Succeeded by	Dionysius Adrianus Petrus Norbertus Koolen
Personal details
Born	(1871-03-27)27 March 1871 Leiden, Netherlands
Died	The Hague, Netherlands
Political party	Roman Catholic State Party Catholic People's Party
Spouse(s)	Elisabeth Johanna Maria Schmier
Religion	Roman Catholic

Petrus Josephus Mattheus "Piet" Aalberse (27 March 1871 – 5 July 1948) was a Dutch politician, and the first Minister of Labour of the Netherlands, a position which later evolved into the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment.

Early life and education

He was born in Leiden to confectioner Bartholomeus Hendricus Johannes Aalberse and Johanna Kerkvliet. He attended a catholic elementary school in Katwijk and studied Dutch Language and Jurisprudence at Leiden University. After graduating in 1897, Aalberse became a lawyer and attorney in Leiden.

Political career

Aalberse was elected into the municipal council of Leiden in 1899, and became alderman of Marital Status, Social Affairs and Public Hygiene of the city in 1901. He gave up both positions in 1903, when he was elected into the House of Representatives for the constituency of Almelo. In the House, he was mainly concerned with policy regarding labour, trade and industry. After losing his seat in 1916, Aalberse briefly taught at the Delft University of Technology.

In 1918, Aalberse became the Netherlands' first minister of Labour, a position renamed minister of Labour, Trade and Industry in 1922. As minister, Aalberse was responsible for the introduction of child benefits for public servants, the introduction of a subsidy programme to stimulate private construction of residences, and the fixing of eight and a half-hour work days and 48-hour working weeks. His term ended in 1925.

After serving as minister, Aalberse returned to the House of Representatives. In the House, he was leader of the Catholic group from 1931 to 1936, and served as President of the House of Representatives from 1936 to 1937, when he lost his seat. Aalberse ended his political career as member of the Council of State, from 1937 to 1946.

Private life

On 21 July 1898, Aalberse married Elisabeth Johanna Maria Schmier, with whom he had seven daughters and one son.

He was member of the "Raad der Vereniging" of De Nederlandsche Padvinders from 1936 till 1947.

References

Assembly seats
Preceded by Herman Schaepman	Member of the House of Representatives for Almelo 1903–1916	Succeeded by Arnold Engels
Political offices
New title	Minister of Labour 1918–1922	Succeeded by Himself as Minister of Labour, Trade and Industry
Preceded by Himself as Minister of Labour	Minister of Labour, Trade and Industry 1922–1925	Succeeded by Dionysius Adrianus Petrus Norbertus Koolen
Preceded by Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck	President of the House of Representatives 1936–1937	Succeeded by Josef van Schaik