Eiffel Tower to reopen after protest over sidelining of women workers
Operator SETE says arrangements made during a BAPS delegation’s visit should not have been accepted, as officials call for an investigation.
The Eiffel Tower is set to reopen after staff walked out over allegations that women workers were sidelined during a Saturday visit by BAPS, a Hindu religious organisation. The landmark was closed on Monday following the protest.
SETE, the company operating the tower, said the delegation had requested arrangements limiting interactions with women. It acknowledged that the conditions should not have been accepted.
Staff said professional instructions during the visit led to female employees being sidelined, replaced by men or directed to avoid certain areas. The precise number of affected workers and the full sequence of instructions remain unclear.
BAPS apologised for any pain or inconvenience caused and said no one had been prevented from accessing the tower. It said the visit was arranged at the start of normal operating hours because of the delegation’s size, to avoid disrupting others.
Paris officials criticised the treatment of the workers. Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said an investigation would be launched as soon as possible, while National Assembly president Yael Braun-Pivet said welcoming visitors should not require France to abandon its values. The scope and outcome of the investigation are not yet known.
