Workers at the museum have ceased their duties, engaging in a work stoppage.
Unfair Labor Practices stick around in Portugal's Museum Sector
It's high time for an update on the ongoing debate about fair compensation for museum workers in Portugal, especially during public holidays. On Easter, a call to action was made, with a deadline of December 31st this year, to push for the recognition of work done on holidays and for fair overtime pay.
Orlando Almeida, the head of the FNSTFPS, has reported no response from the supervisory authority, now the Ministry of Youth and Sports, regarding these workers' demands. Last year during holidays, many significant cultural facilities closed due to a strong response to the strike. Unions will soon ask for another meeting with the new Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports, Margarida Balseiro Lopes.
In April, Orlando Almeida told Lusa that the federation had already met with the former Minister of Culture, Dalila Rodrigues, and the management of the Museums and Monuments of Portugal. However, no negotiation was started, and no concrete proposal was made by the department.
Workers at museums, monuments, and archaeological sites under public supervision typically get 15 to 20 euros on public holidays, which equates to half a day's pay, according to Orlando Almeida. They are only paid for an additional two hours, although they sometimes work more. This issue has persisted for years, with successive governments failing to make a decision to value work done on public holidays in museums, monuments, and listed sites, the federation criticized.
Approximately a thousand people work at the 38 national museums, monuments, and palaces managed by Museus e Monumentos de Portugal. Notable sites include the Palácio Nacional de Mafra, the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and Torre de Belém in Lisbon, and the Convento de Cristo in Tomar.
In response to a request from Lusa about the strike and the possibility of negotiations, Museus e Monumentos de Portugal stated, "At this stage, we have no additional comments to make." In 2023, these 38 facilities received more than five million visitors.
A Long-standing Issue
The strikers are demanding extra pay plus overtime rates for working on public holidays. They have faced this issue for years without much progress under successive government administrations. Potential negotiations could involve increased overtime pay, better employment conditions, and increased government engagement.
However, securing government support for their demands and overcoming resistance to increasing public sector wages could be challenges. Future directions might include more strikes or public awareness campaigns to pressure the government into action. Additionally, building alliances with other unions or public sector workers could strengthen their bargaining position.
[1] Workers in Portugal's museum sector demand fair pay for work on public holidays: https://www.portugalresident.com/workers-in-portugals-museum-sector-demand-fair-pay-for-work-on-public-holidays/[2] Portugal museum workers stage first strike in 40 years over pay, working conditions: https://apnews.com/article/portugal-labor-unions-protests-museums-galleries-europe-e0ac60587947093eb2f568625f17f398
- Amidst ongoing debates, the federal union FNSTFPS in Portugal has yet to receive a response from the Ministry of Youth and Sports regarding the demands for fair compensation and recognition of work done during public holidays in the museum sector.
- The general news in Portugal includes the long-standing issue of museum workers needing increased overtime pay, better employment conditions, and increased government engagement, with potential challenges in securing government support and overcoming resistance to increasing public sector wages.
