Workers responsible for reception and security at the 38 facilities managed by the public company Museus e Monumentos de Portugal (MMP) will resume their strike during public holidays throughout the year, organized by the Federação Nacional dos Sindicatos dos Trabalhadores em Funções Públicas e Sociais (FNSTFPS).
The strikes on holidays have resulted in the closure of several museums and monuments across the country, including some of Portugal’s most visited sites.
FNSTFPS official Orlando Almeida noted that, “since the last meeting with the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports [Margarida Balseiro Lopes], and with the MMP’s board of directors on July 15, no proposal has been presented for workers to evaluate.”
“We are still waiting for a solution to a problem we presented over a year ago,” said Almeida, expressing that after the meeting with the minister “there was some hope for a short-term proposal, but it has not happened yet.”
In response to queries about this strike, MMP’s communications management stated via email: “At this stage, we have no further comments on the process, continuing to work and maintain close dialogue.”
Museum, monument, and archaeological site workers managed by MMP demand “fair compensation” for work on public holidays and overtime, which they argue is inadequately compensated, limited to just two extra hours, despite often working longer.
A statement issued before the last strike on August 15 by FNSTFPS highlighted, “in 2024, the 38 facilities of Museus e Monumentos de Portugal generated ticket revenue of 21,217,432.00 euros,” derived from “tourism and school-organized study visits, confirming the central role of heritage in culture.”
“This problem has persisted for years without any action from successive PSD and PS governments, with or without CDS, to recognize the value of work performed on public holidays,” the statement further argued.
Approximately one thousand employees work at the 38 national museums, monuments, and palaces managed by MMP, including the Palácio Nacional de Mafra, the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and Torre de Belém in Lisbon, and the Convento de Cristo in Tomar, according to union leader Orlando Almeida’s April estimate.
An announcement on MMP’s site regarding the strike has warned of possible “disruptions in access to museums and monuments” under the public company’s management and reminded that tickets already purchased can be exchanged or refunded through requests to Blueticket.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding,” MMP stated.
