1 hr ago
Eiffel Tower Staff Protest Over Women’s Alleged Removal
The Eiffel Tower was briefly closed after its workers protested.
They said female employees were told to move away when a large Hindu delegation visited.
Some male employees allegedly took their places.
The group was connected to BAPS, a Hindu organisation.
The tower’s operator said the visitors had asked for fewer interactions with women, but said this arrangement should not have been accepted.
BAPS said the visit was planned to avoid disturbing other visitors.
It said it did not know anyone had been blocked from entering and apologised to people who were hurt or inconvenienced.
French officials said women should not be hidden or treated differently because of their gender.
An investigation will examine what happened.
The Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed on Monday after staff held a protest meeting.
Union representatives alleged that female employees were moved from workstations during a private visit by about 100 BAPS-linked delegates.
SETE acknowledged that the delegation requested limited interactions with women but said such conditions should not have been accepted.
BAPS said the visit was coordinated to reduce disruption and denied knowing that anyone had been denied access, while apologising for any harm or inconvenience.
Paris authorities ordered an investigation, and senior French politicians condemned the alleged treatment of women.
- Who
- Eiffel Tower employees and union representatives, a delegation of about 100 people linked to BAPS, SETE, and French officials.
- What
- Staff protested alleged instructions that female employees leave or avoid certain work areas during the delegation’s visit, temporarily delaying the tower’s opening.
- Where
- The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
- When
- The private visit occurred on Saturday, and the staff protest and closure took place on Monday.
- Why
- Employees protested what they described as gender-based sidelining; authorities ordered an investigation into the arrangements.
Staff and French officials
BAPS and the visit’s organisers
What happened to female employees
Staff and French officials
Union representatives said women were asked to leave their workstations, avoid certain areas, and effectively become invisible while male colleagues replaced them.
BAPS and the visit’s organisers
BAPS did not acknowledge directing staff and said it was unaware of anyone being denied access or otherwise improperly treated during the visit.
Responsibility for the arrangements
Staff and French officials
SETE said the request to limit interactions with women should never have been accepted, and employees demanded that such treatment not happen again.
BAPS and the visit’s organisers
BAPS said the visit was arranged in coordination with Eiffel Tower teams because of the delegation’s size and to minimise disruption to other visitors.
Equality and public values
Staff and French officials
French politicians said gender equality must apply throughout public spaces and that women should not be asked to step aside for visitors.
BAPS and the visit’s organisers
BAPS said it takes the concerns seriously and is committed to mutual respect and service to others.
Key facts
- Delegation size
- About 100 people linked to BAPS
- Visit timing
- Saturday, during the start of normal opening hours
- Closure
- The Eiffel Tower’s opening was delayed or temporarily suspended on Monday
- Operator
- Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE)
- Staff allegation
- Female workers were allegedly moved from workstations or kept out of sight while men took their places
- BAPS response
- The organisation said the visit was coordinated to limit disruption and apologised for any pain or inconvenience
- Investigation
- Paris authorities said they would investigate the circumstances
Quotes
Emmanuel Gregoire
Paris mayor who announced an investigation
“As the delegation passed through, women were asked to leave their workstations so that men could take their places. Tensions mounted over the weekend, so this morning, the employees decided to meet: first, to open a dialogue with management, and second, to ensure that women are never treated this way at the company again.”
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
financialexpress.com
businesstoday.in
“Equality between women and men will never stop at the foot of our historical monuments, nor anywhere in this city. It must be applied everywhere, for everyone. I will ensure this, everywhere and without exception. An investigation will be launched as quickly as possible.”
financialexpress.com
Emmanuel Grégoire
Paris mayor
“These are not my values, nor are they the values that the Eiffel Tower should uphold, where everyone must be able to move about and act freely, without distinction between women and men.”
thehansindia.com
“Equality between women and men will never stop at the foot of our historical monuments, nor anywhere in this city. It must be applied everywhere, for everyone.”
telegraphindia.com
BAPS Hindu temple in Paris
Paris temple representing the Hindu organization whose delegation visited the Eiffel Tower
“We understand the concerns expressed and take them very seriously. Given the size of our delegation, the visit was organised in coordination with the Eiffel Tower teams, at the start of normal opening hours, to limit as much as possible any disruption for other visitors.”
thehansindia.com
“To the best of our knowledge, at no point was anyone prevented access to the Eiffel Tower. Nevertheless, we sincerely apologise for any pain or inconvenience caused.”
theprint.in
Sources
Eiffel Tower women staff told to ‘make themselves invisible’ for BAPS team visit, Hindu group clarifies
Paris probes claim that women staff told to step out of sight as Hindu delegation visited Eiffel Tower
Why is the Eiffel Tower staff on strike? Iconic landmark temporarily shut
Eiffel Tower temporarily closed after women staff row during Hindu group's visit; probe ordered
Eiffel Tower shut by staff protest after female workers moved for Hindu group visit
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