The Hero of Socialist Labour was an honorific title in the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries from 1938 to 1991. It represented the highest degree of distinction in the USSR and was awarded for exceptional achievements in Soviet industry and culture. It provided a similar status to the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, which was awarded for heroic deeds, but differed in that it was not awarded to foreign citizens.
The Title “Hero of Socialist Labour” was introduced by decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union on December 27, 1938
