The Order of Social Merit (Ordre du Mérite Social) was instituted on 25 October 1936 to award meritorious service within institutions and the like concerned with social legislation. It was administed by the Ministry of Labour. Like many other such orders, it was discontinued when the National Order of Merit was established on 1 January 1964. It was awarded in three classes: Commander, Officer and Knight. The badge of the order is a 7-pointed star enamelled in blue, the metal being gold for commanders and officers and silver for knights. The central medallion bears on the obverse the symbolic female head of 'The Republic' with 'Mérite Social' around it, and on the reverse 'Ministére du Travail' (Ministry of Labour). The ribbon is red with blue edges. Commander: ' alt='' class='ipsImage' width="487px" height="750px">"> Officer: Knight:
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