Louvre employees go on indefinite strike: what’s the reason?
9 December 16:08
One of the world’s most famous museums, the Louvre in Paris, may partially or completely cease operations as early as December 15. Unions uniting museum workers have announced an indefinite strike, claiming critical working conditions and systemic problems in the functioning of the institution. This is reported by AFP, "Komersant Ukrainian".
What the workers demand
The three largest trade unions – CGT, Sud and CFDT – reported that the decision to strike was unanimously supported at a meeting of about 200 employees. In total, the Louvre employs 2,100 people, and if the majority join the protest, the museum may close before one of the most visited periods, the Christmas and New Year holidays.
In an appeal to French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, the unions said there was a chronic shortage of staff, technical failures, and the museum building was aging. According to them, these problems are already affecting visitors’ access to the exhibitions.
“Visiting the Louvre has become a real obstacle course,” the joint letter says.
They emphasize that some halls are regularly closed due to technical malfunctions or lack of supervisors, which contradicts the museum’s status as one of the most important cultural centers in France.
A wave of incidents and pressure on the management
The announced strike comes amid a series of incidents that have called into question the level of security and management at the museum.
In October, the Louvre found itself at the center of a scandal after a brazen seven-minute robbery in the Apollo Gallery. The attackers took jewelry belonging to Napoleon and Empress Eugenie. Some of the stolen goods have not been recovered, and four suspects have been charged in the case.
Recently, the administration also confirmed information about a domestic accident in the Egyptology section of the library, which damaged exhibits. This incident raised questions about the technical condition of the museum and the effectiveness of its infrastructure management.
If the strike begins and lasts indefinitely, the Louvre may face reputational and financial losses, especially during the peak tourist season. The Ministry of Culture has not yet commented on the situation.
The workers’ protests may also provoke a broader discussion about the financing and modernization of cultural institutions in France, an issue that has been raised repeatedly since the pandemic and amid growing pressure on museum spaces.
