49 Vatican Museum employees denounce unsafe conditions and low pay
On April 23, 2024, a group of 49 staff members from the Vatican Museums in Rome lodged a complaint regarding unsafe work conditions, insufficient wages, and mismanagement. The workers, which include 47 custodians, a restorer, and a bookshop assistant, are represented by attorney Laura Sgrò and have directed their concerns to Cardinal Fernando Vèrgez Alzaga. This complaint was made public on May 12, 2024, with the Vatican given a 30-day period to address the issues raised. Employees described their treatment as akin to being "merchandise" and highlighted health risks, inadequate overtime compensation, and a demand for management transparency. Their grievances also encompass discrimination, safety concerns, and a "debt hours notice" from October 2021 that mandated salary deductions for pandemic-related absences, affecting retirees as well.
Key facts
- 49 Vatican Museums employees filed a complaint on April 23, 2024, made public on May 12, 2024.
- Lawyer Laura Sgrò represents the workers, addressing Cardinal Fernando Vèrgez Alzaga.
- Employees include 47 custodians, one restorer, and one bookshop assistant.
- Allegations include unsafe conditions, low pay, and mismanagement.
- Demands: transparency in promotions, seniority bonuses, and structured sick leave.
- Safety issues: obstructed emergency exits, lack of gendarmes, and visitor numbers exceeding caps.
- Post-COVID debt hour system forces employees to repay negative hours via salary deductions.
- No income support measures like furlough exist in the Vatican.
- Retirees have debts recovered from severance pay.
- Vatican has 30 days to respond; case may go to labor office or court.
Entities
Institutions
- Vatican Museums
- Governatorate of Vatican City State
- Holy See
- Vatican labor office
- Corriere della Sera
- Artribune
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Vatican City