Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour ( / Орден јунака социјалистичког рада,, ) was the fourth highest state decoration awarded in Yugoslavia. It was awarded to Yugoslav citizens, companies and sports teams for outstanding achievements in their professional work. The order was awarded a total of 121 times until 1987. After the Breakup of Yugoslavia the decoration was discontinued. Along with the order, the recipient was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labour ( / Јунак социјалистичког рада,, ).

History

The Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour was formally established on 8 December 1948 as the Yugoslav equivalent to the Soviet title of Hero of Socialist Labour. The order was officially bestowed by the President of Yugoslavia. First recipient of the order was Moša Pijade, in 1949. Only two people were awarded the order twice - Edvard Kardelj (in 1955 and posthumously in 1979) and Đuro Pucar (in 1959 and posthumously in 1979). Five women received the award - Spasenija Cana Babović, Anka Berus, Lidija Šentjurc, Vida Tomšič and Ida Sabo. The only foreigner who received the award was President of Romania and General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party, Nicolae Ceaușescu, who received the award in January 1978. The Law on decorations was amended in 1976 when the criteria for awarding the Order of the Hero of Socialist Labour was precised as "For many years of recognized work and outstanding services in the development of Yugoslavia and the building of a socialist self-governing society".

Recipients

As of 31 December 1968, the Order of People's Liberation was awarded 36 times. The Order was awarded a total of 121 times until 1987. Some of the notable recipients are: