Louvre Museum Staff to Strike Over Overcrowding and Security Concerns

Paris: The Louvre Museum in Paris is bracing for a rolling strike by its workers, set to begin on Monday, in protest of inadequate staffing and overwhelming crowds. The strike, which may lead to the museum's partial or full closure, comes nearly two months after a daring heist saw $102 million worth of crown jewels stolen from the museum.

The strike, expected to garner broad support from the museum's 2,200-strong workforce, highlights the growing discontent among staff members, including scientists, documentarians, curators, and security personnel. They are demanding better working conditions, increased staff and improved security measures to address the museum's chronic overcrowding and deteriorating infrastructure.

The Louvre, the world's most-visited museum, has been struggling to manage the massive influx of visitors, with over 30,000 people pouring in daily, far exceeding its planned capacity. Staff members are complaining about the strain on resources, including sub-standard facilities and inadequate security.

The recent heist has raised serious concerns about the museum's security vulnerabilities, with investigations revealing that the thieves exploited weaknesses in the museum's surveillance system and security protocols. The incident has sparked calls for the resignation of Louvre boss Laurence des Cars, who had previously warned the government about the museum's deteriorating condition.