| Medal "For Distinguished Labour" | |
|---|---|
 Medal "For Distinguished Labour" (obverse) | |
| Type | Civilian efficiency medal |
| Country | Soviet Union  |
| Presented by |  Soviet Union |
| Eligibility | Soviet citizens and foreign nationals |
| Established | 27 December 1938 |
| First awarded | 15 January 1939 |
| Total | 2,146,400 |
 Ribbon of the Medal "For Distinguished Labour" | |
The Medal "For Distinguished Labour" (Russian: Медаль «За трудовое отличие») was a civilian labour award of the Soviet Union bestowed to especially deserving workers to recognise and honour high performances in labour or contributions in the fields of science, culture or the manufacturing industry. In just over fifty years of existence, it was bestowed to over two million deserving citizens. It was established on 27 December 1938 by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.[1] Its statute was amended three times by further decrees, firstly on 19 June 1943[2] to amend its description and ribbon, then on 16 December 1947[3] to amend its regulations, and finally on 18 July 1980[4] to confirm all previous amendments. The medal ceased to be awarded following the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union.
- ^ "Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 27 December 1938" (in Russian). Legal Library of the USSR. 1938-12-27. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
- ^ "Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 19 June 1943" (in Russian). Legal Library of the USSR. 1943-06-19. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
- ^ "Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 16 December 1947" (in Russian). Legal Library of the USSR. 1943-06-19. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
- ^ "Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 18 July 1980 № 2523-X" (in Russian). Legal Library of the USSR. 1980-07-18. Retrieved 2012-04-09.