Colosseum park ends subcontracting and acrobatic construction after worker's death

New rules at the Colosseum

The Ministry of Culture has agreed with trade unions to end acrobatic construction work and subcontracting in conservation and renovation projects at the Colosseum archaeological park. The agreement was announced by Cgil and Fp Cgil Roma e Lazio, and works at the site will resume on 3 November. The announcement came just over a month after a 22-year-old worker died in a fall of about 10 metres while installing a new lighting system inside the site. In a statement, the unions said the change followed the agreements signed with the ministry.

“Thanks to the agreements signed with the Ministry of Culture, we can finally say that at the Archaeological Park the way of working is radically changing.”

From the fatal accident to the agreement

After the death, the unions asked for the immediate closure of the area and then opened talks with the ministry to overturn working practices they described as underestimated and inadequate at cultural sites. Il Giornale reported that the worker fell from a 10-metre scaffolding, while ANSA said the fall happened during installation of the new system. The unions argue the outcome came from mobilisation by ministry workers, who said they were aware of the dangerous conditions they faced. According to the unions, those workers rejected the administration's demand to keep the site open whatever happened.

Next step: all cultural sites

The unions want the talks extended to all archaeological and cultural sites in the area, where they say difficult operating conditions persist alongside serious safety risks, exhausting shifts and continuous exposure to extreme weather. Their demand covers direct ministry employees, staff of linked companies and workers of contracting, service and maintenance firms. They argue that no profit, revenue need or reason of state can justify sacrificing human life and dignity.

“Now we will not stop: it is time to immediately extend the talks to all archaeological and cultural sites in the area.”

The unions have not set out a timetable for extending the measures beyond the Colosseum.