France: Louvre Museum partially reopens despite strike.

The Louvre Museum announced it will reopen several sections displaying the museum's masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa painting and the Statue of Victory at Samothrace.

On December 17, the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, partially reopened amid a strike by staff at the popular tourist destination, who announced they would extend their work to protest wages and working conditions.

The Louvre announced that the museum will reopen some areas displaying its masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa painting and the Statue of Victory at Samothrace. However, many areas will remain closed due to a lack of staff.

The announcement of reopening came as, on the same day, approximately 300 museum employees participating in a general union meeting voted to extend the strike that had begun on December 15th.

Unions argue that employees at the Louvre are overworked under poor management and are calling for more staff, higher wages, and a readjustment of spending.

The Louvre Museum faces tourist overcrowding, with around 30,000 visitors daily, leading to a range of pressures on staff, including dangerous incidents, long queues, and ensuring the quality of restrooms and food services. Furthermore, the former palace is also in a state of disrepair, with leaks and structural deterioration.

The strike comes nearly two months after the museum was the victim of a daylight burglary.

The two intruders cut through a glass door with an angle grinder and used a portable ladder to gain access to the gallery in front of visitors, stealing eight items worth $102 million.

Also on December 17th, the Director of the Louvre Museum, Laurence des Cars, will testify before the French Senate regarding museum management issues.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/phap-bao-tang-louvre-mo-cua-mot-phan-bat-chap-dinh-cong-post1083674.vnp