According to the update provided to Lusa by the National Federation of Trade Unions of Workers in Public and Social Functions (FNSTFPS), by late morning, at least ten facilities were closed due to a strike that has been ongoing for over a year.
In Lisbon, the strike participation led to the closure of the Jerónimos Monastery, the National Coach Museum, and the Ajuda National Palace.
Also closed, according to union leader Catarina Simão, are the Soares dos Reis National Museum in Porto, the Grão Vasco National Museum in Viseu, the Lamego Museum, the National Museum of Resistance and Freedom in Peniche, the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça, the Mafra National Palace, and the Sagres Fortress.
Doorkeepers and security staff of the 38 national museums, palaces, and monuments managed by the public company Museums and Monuments of Portugal (MMP), returned to strike, demanding “fair compensation” for work performed on holidays.
The strike on holidays, called by the FNSTFPS, has been ongoing since Easter in April, but workers had previously been on strike for several months in 2024 for the same reason.
“These workers are steadfast in this demand until the Government presents a fair proposal,” emphasized Catarina Simão, indicating that the professionals are prepared to continue the protest into 2026.
According to the union leader, workers from public museums, monuments, and archaeological sites receive “about 18 or 19 euros” net on holidays, a sum they find significantly inadequate.
“They are not refusing to work on holidays, since they always have; they just want fair pay,” insists Catarina Simão, stating that they continue to await responses from the authorities.
“We only have information from the Secretary of State for Public Administration that the Government will be available to present new career paths (…) for museum workers, but this was mentioned vaguely in a meeting,” she reported.
There are approximately 1,000 employees working in the 38 national museums, monuments, and palaces managed by MMP, estimated in April by the union.
