Dancers at Paris's famous Crazy Horse cabaret go on strike... because they 'earn less money than vulgar strippers'

Nude dancers at the Crazy Horse cabaret, close to the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, have been refusing to perform for two days in protest at what they call starvation wages.
The dancers claim they earn less than £400 a week for two performances nightly up to six days a week.
The cabaret, situated on the Avenue George V in the eighth arrondissement of the city, is renowned for its ‘nude chic’ - performers have included burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese.

Topless... and bottomless: Dancers at the Crazy Horse have refused to go on stage unless management gives them a 15 per cent pay rise

Famous performer: Burlesque artist Dita Von Teese performs her 'Le Bain' (The Bath) show at the Crazy Horse in 2006

It is regarded as the 'crème de la crème' of erotic entertainment, and its name and performance style have been taken as far afield as las Vegas, Singapore and the Cannes film Festival.
But the girls say that the equivalent of £1,600 a month in pay is an insult.
Dancers' union representative Suzanne Durand, whose stage name is ‘Liv Mee Not’, said: ‘We have been asking for a little more recognition in terms of cash for the work we do.

'Nude chic': While Von Teese is a well-paid guest artist, full-time dancers are complaining that they are paid less than £400 for two shows a day, sometimes six days a week

Our salaries do not reflect the quality of the work we do and the fact that we work naked. We are paid the lowest wages in the city for quality cabaret performers.'
Even 'vulgar' strippers get paid more, Ms Durand said.
Konnie Rogenne, 22, who has worked at the club for three years, said: ‘The management loves to give the impression, in films and documentaries that have been made about the Crazy Horse, that we are jewels; objects of desire selected from the very best.
'We would like our salaries to match that reputation and the standing of this exceptional venue.'
The women are determined to keep their clothes on until management couchs up an extra 15 per cent.
Dancers at the Crazy Horse are recruited from reputable ballet and classical dance schools around the world.
Once employed, they have to submit to being weighed twice a week to ensure they have not put any unwanted pounds.
If their weights exceeds a certain limit they are fined and, in extreme cases, can be sacked.
Under no circumstances are they allowed to fraternise with customers or leave the club with them.
The Crazy Horse was founded by Alain Bernardin and first opened its doors in 1951. After Bernadin's death in 1994, his three children took over the show and managed it until 2005, when it was taken over by a Belgian businessman Philippe Lhomme.
It was named after the Sioux Indian chief Crazy Horse, who was a major leader in the famous Battle Of Little Big Horn in 1876.