Employees of the Vatican Museums threaten their employer with collective legal action, in an unprecedented social movement.
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There are 49 of them in total out of the 700 museum employees. Some 47 guards, a restaurateur and a bookstore employee who signed a letter of formal notice sent to their boss, Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, who presides over the Governorate of Vatican City State , in other words the executive power.
If mediation is not put in place, then it will be legal action in due form. According to Corriere della Sera, which reveals this story, is the first time in the history of the Holy See that such a group procedure has been launched. In recent years, several of these employees have tried individually to find an agreement, but have hit a wall, since there is no union in the Vatican.
The Vatican, a bad employer?
These employees complain of having an employer who does not always respect labor law, to the point of harming “to their dignity and health“. They denounce a “obvious mismanagement“human resources and regulations that are too strict. For example, during Covid, when the Vatican Museums closed, employees had to stay at home, but they had to reimburse, from their salaries, the hours not worked.
In the event of illness, there are no time slots for check-up visits,”YOU must stay at home all day, as the visit can take place at any time moment, denounce the employees. There have been reported cases where employees were disciplined while at the doctor’s office. Remaining at the employer’s disposal beyond working hours is a violation of the dignity of personal freedom.”.
Employees still claim that overtime is paid less than ordinary working hours. According to the rescript “Ex Audientia SS.mi” of August 28, 2015, “after six hours on your feet, you have to continue your work while being paid less.”. Assignments and promotions are also managed in a completely arbitrary manner and employees point out that their social security coverage is equal to zero: “In the Vatican, there is no unemployment insurance and no financial support in the event of a crisis or loss of activity“.
Museum security in question
Beyond this indictment, the employees’ complaint states “thatbetween 25,000 and 30,000 people pass through the Vatican Museums each day, although the maximum number of entries is 24,000 per day.”.
They also point out too few security exits,”only two are accessible”, of the “rooms without air conditioning” which cause “serious illnesses in summer and endanger the “conservation of works of art. “THE low number of police officers”has repeatedly created security issues and “protocols are not respected” for metal detectors.
The various sites, which notably house the Sistine Chapel, represent the second most visited museum complex in the world with nearly seven million visitors last year. It’s a big source of income. The rebels accuse the Holy See of thinking about generating profit above all else.
The Vatican has 30 days to respond. François is expected at the turning point, he who regularly denounces the excesses of capitalism. Museum employees summarize as follows, “the pope often speaks of rights, but we, here, are considered mere merchandise”. They demand action, not just sermons.