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National Order of Labour, 1st Class, also known as the Gold Class (Bulgarian: Народен орден на труда), a decoration instituted in 1945, before the proclamation of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria in 1946, and awarded throughout the socialist period until 1990.
The order was awarded to both Bulgarian and foreign citizens in recognition of outstanding achievements in labour, technical innovations, improvements in production processes and distinguished contributions to the country’s economic and social development.
The insignia is made of gilt bronze and features a five-pointed star superimposed on a background of radiating rays, extending between its points. At the centre is the hammer and sickle emblem, a characteristic symbol of communist iconography and the labour movement.
The decoration is suspended from a ribbon mounted on a pentagonal suspension, predominantly red, with two vertical white and green stripes along the left edge, recalling the colours of the Bulgarian national flag.
This example is the 1st Class or Gold Class, the highest grade of the order, which also included a second class in silver and a third class in bronze.
Original socialist Bulgarian civil decoration, National Order of Labour, 1st Class (Gold Class).
