Tragedy at work: late afternoon on August 19, a tour guide died while giving a guided tour to a group of tourists at the Colosseum. The 56-year-old woman, Giovanna Maria Giomarino, succumbed to an illness while she was working, collapsed to the ground and never recovered, but despite the rapid rescue by 118, there was nothing she could do.
In a note, Cgil, Fp Cgil and Filcams Cgil of Rome and Lazio expressed their condolences. “While waiting for the causes of death to be clarified,” they read, “starting with the work rhythms and temperatures, we express all our condolences for the passing of Giovanna Maria and our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. It is a name that adds to the all too long list of people who have lost their lives at work, and it makes us responsible for keeping the lights on the working conditions in the world of culture, which must necessarily change and improve. In this tragedy,” the note continues, “we are sorry to see that, once again, when a person dies on the job, we do not proceed with the suspension of work activities. We therefore stigmatize the decision to reopen the monument despite the dramatic event. It is true that guided tours are booked by the public well in advance, but feelings of condolence should have prevailed over any event or initiative.”
In addition to condolences, the unions lament in these words the Park’s decision not to have suspended work activities after the death of the tour guide and to have reopened the monument despite the tragic event.
In a long post written by colleague Elisa Valeria Bove and taken up by the Facebook page Tourism and Culture - Transparency and Legality and SOS Historical Heritage of Rome, the dedication and professionalism of Giovanna Maria Giomarino with which she approached her work is highlighted, and “also the risks and wear and tear of a profession that requires great physical commitment, in a context such as the Colosseum, frequented by thousands of people.”
“Giovanna’s passing,” the post reads, “is a reminder to reflect on the need for greater protection for workers in this category.” “The time has come to think about regulation and ad hoc insurance that offers greater health protection to this professional category,” it continues. “Often, those who do this work are freelancers who, for economic reasons, are also forced to work in poor health. The nature of the work, often done outdoors, in crowded places and in extreme weather conditions, makes guides particularly vulnerable. It is essential that we begin to think about how best to protect these professionals, providing them with the safety and peace of mind they need to do their work.”
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| Tour guide dies while working at the Colosseum. Tragedy opens reflections of unions and colleagues |
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