• Louvre Museum staff initiate a strike protesting deteriorating working conditions.
• The strike is in response to a robbery that raised security concerns.
• About 400 employees voted unanimously to strike, demanding more staff and better pay.
• The museum's closure coincides with the busy Christmas tourist season.
• Unions cite issues of overcrowding and building disrepair as major concerns.

The Louvre Museum in Paris has closed its doors to visitors as staff commenced a strike to protest working conditions, exacerbated by a recent high-profile robbery. Approximately 400 employees voted unanimously at a general meeting to launch this renewable strike, coinciding with the holiday season, a time typically marked by high tourist traffic, according to Le Monde, Channel News Asia, and AA.

The staff demands focus on the need for increased personnel to manage the overwhelming visitor numbers that continue to plague the museum. Workers argue that the Louvre has become a challenging environment for both employees and tourists, with unions describing the visitor experience as an "obstacle course," characterized by overcrowding and inadequate facilities. These issues have intensified since the museum's robbery on October 19, during which significant royal jewels were stolen, according to Le Monde and Channel News Asia.

Additionally, staff grievances encompass a range of conditions, including inadequate management response to urgent structural issues within the museum, such as water leaks that have caused significant damage. Union representatives have emphasized these hazards as the museum looks toward a €700 million to €800 million renovation plan initiated by the French government after highlighted concerns raised by the museum’s management, according to Channel News Asia, AA, and Le Monde.

The museum plans to remain closed until Wednesday, when another assembly is expected to assess the continuation of the strike actions. This closure follows a series of intense staff protests, which included spontaneous walk-outs earlier in the year that led to temporary shutdowns of the museum, reflecting the ongoing discord within the institution, according to Channel News Asia and AA.

The Louvre, welcoming around 30,000 visitors daily, has become a focal point for discussions around "over-tourism," yet the unions argue that the management's strategies do not adequately address the workforce's concerns or the visitor's experience amidst ongoing safety and infrastructure issues, according to Le Monde, Channel News Asia, and AA.