Visitors gather at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, which is closed due to a strike on June 25, 2013 in Paris, France.
The Eiffel Tower in Paris has remained closed for a second day due to a strike by workers demanding better security conditions as well as higher pay.
The General Confederation of Labor Union (CGT) called the strike after unsuccessful talks were held on Monday and Tuesday.
“The waiting lines are growing longer, the visitors are growing more and more impatient and the work conditions are deteriorating,” a CGT statement said.
Employees say there are insufficient facilities to welcome the up to 30,000 visitors daily and the overcrowding poses a security risk and undermines their working conditions.
“It took them two years to build (the Eiffel Tower), and now it’s taking more than five years for one lift,” said one annoyed employee.
The strike by some 300 workers at the tower is the first since a two-day closure in December 2010.
Meanwhile, visitors to the tower were angered that French authorities had not informed about the strike and closure.
“It’s disappointing spending this much money to come here and you can’t come to the one landmark people probably come here to see most,” said tourist Jamie McNulty.
Built in 1889, the tower is usually open year around except for some occasional closures due to suicide or bomb threats as well as strikes.
CAH/KA
This article originally appeared on: Press TV