Strike shuts historic sites in Mexico

Workers at world-famous archaeological sites in the Mexican state of Oaxaca have gone on strike, shutting dozens of tourists out of pre-Colombian ruins, museums and former convents.

The strike affects 16 different locations, including Monte Alban and Mitla, which attract visitors almost year-round.

The unionised workers that called the 24-hour strike yesterday are employed by the National Institute for Anthropology and History.

They have called for the dismissal of an INAH manager who they accuse of changing rank-and-file jobs without union consent.

INAH spokesman Julio Castrejon said it was an internal union conflict. He said INAH “has nothing to do with it”, but was helping to mediate.