VATICAN CITY - In the run up to the May Day workers' national holiday and during the conclave period, following the death of Pope Francis, the Association of Lay Employees of the Vatican – ADLV - is asking the Vatican to "protect especially the most vulnerable Vatican workers" and has raised a "concern about wages", according to Fatto Quotidiano.  

 "As an association officially recognized by papal rescript, we continue to make ourselves available to interface with the ULSA [Apostolic Seat Employment Office] which, in a spirit of full and active collaboration, reports to the various administrations problems related to working conditions, also suggested by the ADLV".

  In the rest of the statement from the ADLV, they continued saying that, “we have played an important role in the recent unblocking of levels although this operation has affected the dicasteries in an uneven way - therefore, much remains to be done. Let us not forget that, with a salary base stuck in 2008, the purchasing power of the salaries of Vatican employees has decreased, in the face of increased workloads and mechanisms that do not always appear meritocratic in assigning bonuses and promotions”.

 The ADLV then asked what happened to the update of the regulations saying,“to date, there are too many obsolete regulations, which highlight a vision of the world of work that is now outdated. Extreme flexibility and patience have been demonstrated [by workers], even during this period of the sede vacante… after all, Pope Francis told us that work is man’s first vocation”.

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