The National Council for Economics and Labor is provided for in art. 99 of the Constitution of the Italian Republic, coming into force on 1st January 1948. However, it was established only 10 years later, with the law n. 33 of 5 January 1957.

For the implementation of the constitutional provision, the first bill was prepared by the Minister of Labor Hon. Fanfani and presented by the Prime Minister Hon. De Gasperi 15 March, 1949.

Article. 1 determined the composition of the Council in 60 members divided into 3 groups:

• representatives of the economic and labor categories; 
• representatives of councils and economic public bodies; 
• people particularly experienced in work or production problems.