Paris Eiffel Tower Closed After Strike Over Removal of Female Staff
The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed to visitors following a strike by staff members. Employees walked out in protest after female workers were asked to step away during a visit by members of the BAPS Hindu religious group.
On Monday, the famous Paris landmark, the Eiffel Tower, remained closed to visitors as employees launched a strike. The industrial action was triggered by an incident involving a delegation from the BAPS Hindu religious group, which approximately had one hundred members visiting the site last Saturday.
According to Dien Davoine, the delegation's visit saw female workers being asked to leave their workstations so that male workers could take over their responsibilities. This directive led to immediate outrage among the staff, prompting them to stage a strike in protest against the removal of the female employees.
The disruption left tourists unable to access the historic monument, which typically welcomes about seven million visitors every year. The closure highlighted workplace equality concerns and drew sharp reactions from political figures regarding the treatment of women in public life.
Reacting to the controversy, National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet strongly defended the rights of women. She stated that welcoming others never means sacrificing French values, emphasizing that women in France are fully active in public life and that no one can tell them to become invisible.
Following the protests and subsequent discussions, the situation was addressed by the concerned parties. Both the BAPS organization and SETE, the management company operating the Eiffel Tower, issued statements expressing their regret over the incident.
After the resolution and the conclusion of the strike, normal operations resumed at the historic site. On Tuesday, the Eiffel Tower was officially reopened to the public, welcoming visitors once again after the brief closure.
