Most of us will be familiar with the ladies who control the public toilets in various cities and railway stations, seated by the entrance with a little cash box into which a small deposit is all but mandatory.
Generally the modern breed of "dames pipi" as they are popularly known are cheerful and friendly unlike their counterparts of yesteryear. But as public toilets have been progressively privatised things are changing. Many are now run by a Dutch company called "2theloo" whose aim is make them into profitable "toilets/boutiques".
Given that, the attendants, many of whom are immigrants with a long employment history, do not have the skills necessary to sell the products offered, dealing with cash and possibly credit cards. Previously the dames were employed in the cleaning industry, but 2theloo claims that they are not in that industry so are not obliged to keep the staff on. So far no resolution has been found and the ladies have taken to blocking popular sites such as Sacre Coeur in Paris.
No doubt it will be a relief to all when a resolution is found.
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