Vatican Museum custodians launch class action against the Holy See

  VATICAN CITY – The first class action lawsuit filed against the Vatican by a group of custodians working in the Vatican Museums alleging “dissatisfaction, frustration and stress”, has had its first hearing in the Vatican courts on Thursday morning, Il Messaggero has reported.

  Reportedly, the first hearing of the case occurred on Thursday morning, although the Vatican has not yet commented. The civil case, which is seen as the first of its kind in the Vatican, allegedly denounces the treatment and working conditions of custodial staff in the Vatican Museums. 

  Il Messaggero reported that over previous years the number of employees who joined the lawsuit was around 50, however allegedly only 12 have decided to take action against the Governorate of the Vatican City, the administrative body which exercises executive power over the Holy See. Allegedly, other custodians decided to leave the lawsuit for fear of losing their jobs, reportedly saying that in the Vatican “there is an atmosphere of great distrust.”

  Allegedly, employees believe that there are “no adequate safety measures” in the workplace and instead work “in dangerous working conditions”, especially during the summer when the number of tourists visiting the Vatican vastly increases. Throughout the year, the Vatican Museums welcome around 7 million visitors, making it the second most visited museum in the world, behind the Louvre. 

  The custodians reportedly cite the fact they must stand for hours on end in “unhealthy environments”, such as the Sistine Chapel where there is a large number of tourists but little space, as well as referencing a young worker who fainted and collapsed last summer due to standing in the heat and had to be taken to hospital. The class action reportedly calls for staff be able to swap shifts due to the heavy workload and more holidays, as it is reported that custodial staff work 60 days more on average than other employees of the Governate.

  Another complaint is the “growing responsibility” on museum curators to protect the works of art on display without help or recognition from those in charge of security, as if something happens then in practice it is the custodians who are called upon to intervene immediately. This allegedly has led to the class action also calling for safety nets to protect employees in serious circumstances and ways for career advancement to be recognised.

  The Vatican has not yet commented on proceedings. 

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