site.btaMuseum and Gallery Workers Protest on Saturday, Demand Higher Wages and Budget Reforms

Museum and gallery workers across Bulgaria protested on Saturday, demanding a gradual increase in wages to 125% of the national average salary. So far, the protest is only symbolic, with no plans for a full strike, but monthly salaries of BGN 1,200–1,300 are “a cynicism,” a staff member from the Sofia City Art Gallery (SCAG) told BTA.

The national protest coincides with the “European Night of Museums” initiative and comes on the eve of International Museum Day, which has been marked on May 18 for the past 20 years.

“These demands will be placed at the entrance of the Sofia City Art Gallery when it opens at 6:00 p.m. They will also be visible at our affiliated galleries – the Vaska Emanouilova Gallery and the Dechko Uzunov Gallery,” the SCAG employee added.

Symbolic protest actions took place in museums and galleries throughout the country, with participating staff wearing distinctive protest ribbons on their lapels. Their demands also include the signing of a sectoral agreement for museums and galleries.