PARIS: The Eiffel Tower staff strongly protested over the removal of female staff during the visit of Hindu religious delegation. Tower is set to reopen today after employees protested the removal of female workers during a private visit by a Hindu religious delegation.
The tower’s operating company, SETE, acknowledged that the delegation requested arrangements limiting interactions with female employees. SETE said such conditions should not have been accepted during the visit.
Around 100 members of the BAPS Hindu spiritual movement visited the Paris landmark privately on Saturday. Employees said managers instructed female workers to leave certain areas while the delegation toured the tower. Some women were replaced by male colleagues at specific posts during the visit.
Female employees also said they received instructions not to pass through certain areas while the delegation remained there. They described the experience as shocking and demanded clarification about how the arrangements received approval.
BAPS Apologises as Political Criticism Grows
Meanwhile, BAPS apologised for any pain or inconvenience caused by the arrangements.
The organisation said the measures followed discussions with the Eiffel Tower team because of the delegation’s size.
BAPS also said the arrangements aimed to prevent disruption for other visitors.
However, the incident triggered criticism from French political figures.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said authorities would launch an investigation as soon as possible.
He also said employees’ anger was understandable and their dissatisfaction was legitimate. National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet also criticised the arrangements and defended women’s presence in public life.
Furthermore, she said welcoming visitors should never come at the expense of France’s values. SETE said the Eiffel Tower would reopen after staff and management met Monday to discuss the incident.
Employees are now seeking greater transparency over the decision and an end to the discrimination with the female workers.
