French authorities are investigating why female employees were removed from their posts during a visit by a Hindu religious group to the Eiffel Tower.
Key facts
- •Female Eiffel Tower staff were replaced by men during a visit by a 100-person BAPS delegation on Saturday.
- •Staff went on strike Monday to protest the incident and demand that women never be treated this way again.
- •Ariel Weil, president of the Eiffel Tower's operating company, announced an internal investigation into the matter.
- •BAPS issued an apology, stating the visit was arranged with the Eiffel Tower team to avoid inconveniencing others.
- •French political leaders, including Yaël Braun-Pivet and Marine Le Pen, condemned the exclusion of female staff.
An investigation is underway in France after female staff at the Eiffel Tower were replaced by male colleagues during a visit by a delegation from the BAPS Hindu religious group. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, led to a staff strike on Monday as employees protested the treatment of their female colleagues. Management at the Eiffel Tower has condemned the actions as unacceptable and contrary to principles of gender equality.
Incident details and staff response
During the visit of approximately 100 people linked to the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) group, female employees were reportedly asked to leave their workstations and were instructed to avoid specific areas. Staff union representative Diane Davoine stated that the affected women felt humiliated by these requirements. In response to the events, employees held a strike on Monday to demand dialogue with management and ensure such practices do not recur.
Management and political reaction
Ariel Weil, president of the company that operates the Eiffel Tower, described the incident as shocking and unacceptable, attributing the decision to overzealous management. The operating company, Société d'Exploitation de la tour Eiffel (SETE), stated that the conditions imposed were inconsistent with its values. Several French political figures, including National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet and Marine Le Pen, have publicly condemned the incident, emphasizing that women should not be sidelined to accommodate the demands of visitors.
BAPS statement
BAPS, a movement that practices strict separation of men and women in temple activities, issued an apology for any pain or inconvenience caused. The group stated that the visit was arranged in coordination with the Eiffel Tower team to avoid disrupting others and emphasized its commitment to mutual respect.
Timeline
- SaturdayA delegation of about 100 people from BAPS visited the Eiffel Tower, leading to the removal of female staff.
- SundayBAPS consecrated its first major temple in France in a Parisian suburb.
- MondayEiffel Tower staff went on strike to protest the treatment of their female colleagues.
- TuesdayAriel Weil addressed the incident on French broadcaster Franceinfo.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Europe.
