Eiffel Tower closed after workers protested removal of female employees

The Eiffel Tower closed after workers went on strike over the removal of female employees during a visit by a Hindu religious delegation. Staff said women had been told to leave their posts so men could take them over.

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Women were asked to leave their work stations so that men could occupy them.

Diane Davoine, a representative of the workers’ union, said management later apologized. She said the episode caused particular anger among female employees, who felt humiliated both by what happened and by the way it was handled. Workers met to open talks with management and ensure women would not be treated that way again.

The tower’s operator, Société d'Exploitation de la tour Eiffel, confirmed that the delegation had asked for the visit to be organized to limit “contact with women.” The company said such conditions should not have been accepted because they conflicted with its values and its principles of equality between men and women. Its president, Ariel Weil, called the practice unacceptable and reaffirmed the tower’s commitment to republican values and gender equality.

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Such conditions should not have been accepted, as they were not consistent with SETE’s values or with the principles of equality between men and women.

The delegation, linked to Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, visited the Paris landmark after the organization inaugurated its first major temple in France. BAPS said the visit had been organized with the Eiffel Tower team at the start of normal opening hours so it would not disturb other visitors. The group apologized for any offense or inconvenience and said it believed in universal values of mutual respect and service to others. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said the circumstances would be investigated and called the workers’ dissatisfaction fully justified.

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The dissatisfaction of the employees is entirely justified.