The medal “Veteran of Labor” in the Zimovniki Museum of Local History collection belonged to Ivan Biketov, who participated in the Great Patriotic War and worked in the Zimovniki district.
This medal was awarded only to people with certain labor experience. It was 40 years’ experience for men, and 35 years for women. The workers of various industries such as factory workers, doctors, and collective farmers, workers in culture and art, and public officers were awarded the medal “Veteran of Labor”. The same medal was bestowed to minors who worked in production during the Great Patriotic War. The state award “Veteran of Labor” was established in 1974, and it was awarded until 1995. In total, more than 39 million people received the medals.
The medal was a circular one with a diameter of 3.4 centimeters. It was made of tombac — a durable metal that was resistant to corrosion — and covered with silver. Graphic artist Sergey Pomansky created the design of the medal.
There was an inscription “USSR” surrounded by sun rays in the center of the front side of the medal. The national symbols — a hammer and sickle were above it, below there was a laurel branch with the inscription “Veteran of Labor”. On the reverse side of the medal were the words: “For many years of good work”.
The medal was attached to a pentagonal suspension device, which was covered with a silk ribbon with stripes of four colors: dark gray, light gray, white, and red. The medal had to be worn on the left breast, after the medal “For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945”.
A personal certificate was given with a medal containing the owner’s personal information and individual number. However, this award did not give any benefits in the Soviet Union — it was a sign of honor and respect and showed the hard work of its owner. In modern Russia, the legislation was reviewed, and now labor veterans receive benefits and additional payments.
This medal was awarded only to people with certain labor experience. It was 40 years’ experience for men, and 35 years for women. The workers of various industries such as factory workers, doctors, and collective farmers, workers in culture and art, and public officers were awarded the medal “Veteran of Labor”. The same medal was bestowed to minors who worked in production during the Great Patriotic War. The state award “Veteran of Labor” was established in 1974, and it was awarded until 1995. In total, more than 39 million people received the medals.
The medal was a circular one with a diameter of 3.4 centimeters. It was made of tombac — a durable metal that was resistant to corrosion — and covered with silver. Graphic artist Sergey Pomansky created the design of the medal.
There was an inscription “USSR” surrounded by sun rays in the center of the front side of the medal. The national symbols — a hammer and sickle were above it, below there was a laurel branch with the inscription “Veteran of Labor”. On the reverse side of the medal were the words: “For many years of good work”.
The medal was attached to a pentagonal suspension device, which was covered with a silk ribbon with stripes of four colors: dark gray, light gray, white, and red. The medal had to be worn on the left breast, after the medal “For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945”.
A personal certificate was given with a medal containing the owner’s personal information and individual number. However, this award did not give any benefits in the Soviet Union — it was a sign of honor and respect and showed the hard work of its owner. In modern Russia, the legislation was reviewed, and now labor veterans receive benefits and additional payments.
