Staff strike forces Louvre to close doors to visitors

The Louvre Museum in Paris was forced to close on Monday after its employees went on strike over working conditions and wages, disappointing thousands of visitors.

Unions announced earlier that the strike at the world’s most visited museum in the French capital was unanimously supported by nearly 400 employees.

Understaffed museum workers are having to cope with the ever-increasing flow of people, they said. Management did not immediately comment.

About two months ago thieves stole French crown jewels worth €88 million (£76 million; $102 million), It reveals dazzling security vulnerabilities. And last week The water leak that occurred in the museum damaged hundreds of books.

In the strike notice they sent to the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, the CFDT, CGT and Sud unions drew attention to the “deteriorating working conditions” and “insufficient resources” at the Louvre.

“We need a change of approach… regarding the priorities and urgent needs of the museum,” CGT representative Christian Galani told the BFMTV news site.

He said the Louvre’s reception and security sector had “lost 200 full-time equivalent positions in 15 years, while the number of visitors had halved”.

Some citizens bought tickets for Monday.

“I was very disappointed because the main reason for our visit to Paris was the Louvre, because we wanted to see the Mona Lisa,” Minsoo Kim, who came from Seoul with her husband for their honeymoon, told AFP news agency.

Londoner Natalia Brown said she too was disappointed. “At the same time, I understand why they did this, it’s unfortunate timing for us,” he added.

Unions said Louvre workers will meet Wednesday morning to decide what to do next.

It was stated that the museum, which is closed on Tuesdays for maintenance, will host 8.7 million visitors in 2024.