
TL;DR
Eiffel Tower staff went on strike after female employees were sidelined during a visit by a Hindu religious group, leading to the tower's closure. The operator, SETE, acknowledged the mistake and committed to ensuring gender equality in future operations.
✦ Why It Matters
Support gender equality initiatives in your workplace to prevent discrimination.
Key Takeaways
Full Summary
On Monday, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed due to a strike by employees protesting the exclusion of female staff during a visit by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a Hindu religious group. Staff condemned the decision that led to female workers being sidelined, stating it was unacceptable to prioritize religious requests over gender equality.
The operator, SETE, admitted that the conditions allowing for limited interactions with women were a mistake. Paris' mayor, Emmanuel Gregoire, emphasized that gender equality should not be compromised at historic sites.
Following the incident, SETE's head, Ariel Weil, stated that no religious motive could justify gender discrimination in public spaces. The Eiffel Tower, which attracts around seven million visitors annually, reopened the day after the strike.
Related