Eiffel Tower Reopens After Dispute Over Removal of Female Staff

The Eiffel Tower in Paris has reopened after staff walked out in protest over the removal of female employees during a private visit by a Hindu religious delegation.

The landmark was closed on Monday after workers held a protest over allegations that female staff were asked to leave their workstations or limit their presence during the visit by a delegation linked to the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).

The Eiffel Tower’s operating company, Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), acknowledged that the delegation had requested the visit be organised to limit “interactions with women”. The company said “these conditions should not have been accepted” and were inconsistent with its values and principles of equality between men and women.

The incident sparked anger among employees and criticism from French political leaders. Union representatives said some female workers were replaced by men during the visit, while Paris authorities announced an investigation into what happened.

The BAPS group, which was visiting Paris around the inauguration of a new Hindu temple, apologised for “any pain or inconvenience caused” by the incident. The organisation said the visit had been arranged to minimise disruption, while the circumstances surrounding the treatment of female staff remained under scrutiny.

Following discussions between staff and management, the Eiffel Tower reopened on Tuesday, September 8. The reopening ends the immediate disruption, but the controversy and investigation over the treatment of female employees are expected to continue.