Marcel Ciolacu announces that, if necessary, he will go voluntarily to the “Night of the Museums”. The Prime Minister's reaction comes after the trade unionists announced that the most important museums in the country will not be open to the public, dissatisfied with salaries in the field.
Prime Minister Ciolacu, willing to go voluntarily to the “Night of Museums” PHOTO: Personal Archive/FB
“You know that the Night of the Museums is passing. It's a night. That's why it's called the Night of the Museums. Each category has its specifics. For example, museographers have the problem that salaries in education have increased and complain that they do the same work and the remuneration is differentiated. Just as we started with the minimum wage at the European level, because this is the basic logic, for the same work, no matter where you live, whether you live in Romania, Bucharest or Paris, the same work must be paid the same. I said that I don't like it when it's a public service, really they will volunteer for this service. The night of the museums brings an attractiveness and a story already. Create a spirit. You don't have to touch a spirit and a beautiful story even for a direct interest. We had the discussions and next week in the Government meeting we will try to regulate the situation”, said Marcel Ciolacu, when asked about the “Night of the Museums”, according to Digi 24.
The Prime Minister wanted to add that he is willing to go voluntarily, Saturday night, May 18, 2024, for four hours to the Antipa Museum.
“More than that, I made myself available, if needed. I'll try on Saturday, I'm rushing home. I am also going voluntarily. The closest to the Government is the Antipa Museum, and I also volunteer for four hours. I will drink a coffee and I will resist. It is not a problem. But I would very much like to stop using it, especially if it's an opening, let's sit at the table and talk sitting down, because no one is either obtuse or turned on. There are some limits that we have to respect and fit in”, stressed Prime Minister Ciolacu.
Claims of museum employees
Celebrated this year on May 18, the “Night of Museums” reaches its 20th anniversary in 2024, in our country.
The National Federation of Trade Unions in Culture and Mass Media “CulturMedia” – CNS Cartel Alfa has announced protests for Saturday.
Moreover, the National Commission of Museums and Collections declares its solidarity with the demands of the trade unions in culture and expresses its hope for the rapid adoption by “the factors involved” of some “fair and necessary corrective measures“, reports Agerpres.
The National Commission of Museums and Collections highlighted the large and unjustified differences in staff salaries in the museum sector, compared to other sectors, with some positions benefiting from remunerations 20-30% higher than others involving greater responsibilities and work complexity. These disproportions have determined a large part of Romanian museums not to participate in this year's Museum Night, according to the Commission's decision.
The organizers announced that on Saturday, at the Night of the Museums event, 253 objectives will be opened throughout the country, with the most in Bucharest – 55, in Iaşi – 34, Târgu Mureş – 22 and in Cluj-Napoca – 18. Some of the more important museums in the country and in Bucharest will not participate. The reason: salary inequities in the field. In Bucharest, the protest of trade unionists from museums will take place in front of the Ministry of Culture and in Victoriei Square.
