On 24 August 2005, he became the minister of labor and social affairs in the first cabinet of Mahmoud Ahmedinejad. He was approved by the Majlis with 197 votes in favor. During his tenure, he was considered to be the economic spokesperson of the government. In late 2008, he announced his candidacy for the presidential election of 2009. He was succeeded by Reza Sheykholeslam in August 2009 as minister of labor and social affairs.