Staff at France’s Louvre Museum have voted to extend their strike over working conditions, unions confirmed on Wednesday, leaving thousands of visitors waiting outside the Paris landmark.
Employees upheld the strike action during a general assembly, rejecting proposals put forward by the culture ministry, revealed union representatives. Labour groups said the measures failed to address long-standing concerns and were considered inadequate by staff.
The industrial action began on Monday, when the world’s most visited museum shut its doors, forcing crowds of ticket-holders to turn away as workers protested outside the entrance.
After the museum’s routine closure on Tuesday, visitors once again gathered in the cold on Wednesday, hoping to gain access to the iconic institution, home to masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
While some tourists expressed frustration, others said they understood the reasons behind the strike.
Several visitors waiting in the queue acknowledged the disruption but said they sympathised with staff demands, even as limited time in Paris meant missing out on the attraction was disappointing.
The strike comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Louvre’s management following a high-profile daylight robbery in October, during which thieves stole jewellery valued at more than $100 million.
Union representatives say the incident exposed deeper problems within the institution, including staff shortages and deteriorating infrastructure, issues they claim to have raised repeatedly over the years.
About 400 employees unanimously voted in favour of strike action earlier this week, citing anger over how the museum is being run.
Despite the disruption, some visitors said they accepted the situation as part of a legitimate demonstration by workers seeking improved conditions.
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