The Eiffel Tower in Paris was temporarily closed on Monday after a disagreement over how women staff were treated during a visit by a religious group. The closure followed a strike by employees who said they were asked to move from their work areas.
100 people from the BAPS Hindu movement visited the Eiffel Tower on Saturday. According to staff representatives some female workers were asked to leave their posts while the group was passing through. In areas male employees reportedly took over their jobs.
This action made the female workers feel disrespected. They said they were treated unfairly because they were women. The workers demanded that the situation be properly investigated.
The company that runs the Eiffel Tower, SETE later admitted that the BAPS delegation had asked for arrangements to limit “interactions with women.” The company said those requests should not have been accepted.
BAPS however said the visit had been planned with the Eiffel Tower authorities to avoid disturbing guests. The group said it did not know about women being asked to leave their posts. Still, it apologized for any hurt or inconvenience caused.
The situation quickly drew attention from politicians. Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said an investigation would be launched. National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet said that welcoming visitors should not mean putting equality between men and women at risk.
The incident came just after BAPS opened its major Hindu temple in France near Paris. The temple opening had drawn attention because Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the event and spoke about the ties between India and France.
After a meeting between staff and management the Eiffel Tower was expected to reopen on Tuesday. The controversy has sparked a larger conversation in France. People are now discussing gender equality, religious customs and how public places should deal with requests, from visiting groups.
