History

The Decoration was founded by King Victor Emmanuel III and was conferred upon Italian citizens to recognize merit in labour, including exceptional work ethic and conduct.

This Decoration was based upon the Decoration of Agricultural and Industrial Merit by King Umberto I in 1898.

The Type II decorations feature the image of personified Italy on the obverse medallion.

There are two versions of the Type II decorations, the decorations awarded for labour merit within Italy and the decorations awarded for labour merit abroad. The decorations for merit abroad were added on September 4, 1927, and feature the reverse inscription "AL MERITO DEL LAVORO ALL'ESTERO," while the decorations for merit in Italy have the reverse inscription "AL MERITO DEL LAVORO 1924."