Eiffel Tower: women allegedly hidden from Hindu delegation

Eiffel Tower officials were asked to step away from their jobs during a visit by a Hindu religious delegation last weekend, trade union representatives said. The case sparked protests among officials, the temporary closure of the monument on Monday night and the opening of an investigation by Paris city authorities.

The complaint was made by Diane Davoine, a union representative, who told Reuters that women were told to leave their workplaces as the group passed, so that men could take their places. The episode caused outrage in the staff and criticism from French politicians.

Private Hindu Group Tour

On Saturday, a delegation of about 100 people linked to the Hindu group Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, known as BAPS, made a private visit to the Eiffel Tower. During the course, according to the union report, the employees were removed from their duties.

"As the delegation passed by, women were asked to leave their jobs so that men could take their places," Davoine told Reuters. The source did not detail who would have given the order or in which sectors of the monument the measure was applied.

The visit took place in one of the most visited tourist spots in the world, which broadened the repercussions of the case. The Eiffel Tower receives millions of visitors a year and employs hundreds of workers in different roles, from ticketing to security.

Protest and temporary closure

On Monday, officials decided to meet to discuss what had happened. "Tensions increased over the weekend, so this morning employees decided to meet: first, to start a dialogue with the management and second, to ensure that women are never treated in this way again in the company," Davoine said.

The monument was closed on Monday night during the meeting. Plaques at the base of the tower displayed the message: "The opening of the Eiffel Tower is delayed for operational reasons." The administration has apologized to the team for the incident, according to Davoine.

The temporary shutdown affected tourists who waited to climb the monument. The source did not detail how many people were impacted by the closure or how long the operation was suspended.

Investigation by the authorities

The mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire, said an investigation would be launched "as soon as possible". In a post on the social network X, he said he was aware of the outrage of employees and agreed that their dissatisfaction was legitimate.

"It is urgent that all the facts that led to this protest be clarified," Grégoire wrote. The city council did not inform which body will conduct the count or the deadline for completion.

The case has also resonated with French politicians, who have criticized the alleged segregation of gender in the workplace. The source did not detail which parliamentarians expressed themselves nor the exact content of the criticisms.

Response of administration

In a statement, the Eiffel Tower administration denied that anyone had been prevented from accessing the monument. “As far as we know, at no time has anyone been prevented from accessing the Eiffel Tower. However, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or inconvenience caused," the statement said.

A spokesman for SETE, the company that manages the monument, did not immediately respond to a request for comment made by the press. The source did not detail whether the company would open an internal syndication or take preventive measures.

The case raises questions about the policy of managing private visits and the treatment given to employees in special situations. The Eiffel Tower is operated by a mixed team and follows French labor standards, which prohibit gender discrimination.

Repercussions and next steps

The episode takes place in a context of debates about gender equality in the workplace in France. The country has strict anti-discrimination legislation, and cases of segregation can lead to administrative and judicial sanctions.

The municipal investigation should determine if there was an explicit order to remove the employees, who issued it and if the practice has already occurred on other occasions. The source did not detail whether there will be witness testimony or security imagery analysis.

In the meantime, employees await concrete measures from the administration. The dialogue started at Monday’s meeting is expected to result in clear protocols to prevent further incidents.

The Boca no Trombone portal will continue to monitor the unfolding of the case and will bring updates as new information is released by the French authorities.

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