The Eiffel Tower in Paris reopened on Tuesday following a strike that lasted approximately one day. The work stoppage was organized to protest what union officials characterized as inappropriate management directives regarding female employee involvement during a scheduled visit by members of BAPS, a Hindu religious organization affiliated with the Swaminarayan sect.
According to Diane Davoine, a representative of the CGT union, management instructed employees that female workers should avoid contact with the visiting delegation. BAPS had been in Paris to celebrate the inauguration of a traditional Hindu stone temple in the city. The group released a statement Monday evening expressing apologies to those affected by the situation and reiterating its commitment to universal values of mutual respect and service to others.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire announced plans to investigate the incident, emphasizing in a statement that gender equality must be upheld throughout the city without exception. The Eiffel Tower, which attracts approximately 7 million visitors annually, is operated by a company that had not provided immediate comment on the matter as of the reporting date.
Union officials noted that while the tower frequently hosts various delegations and special visitors, including heads of state and international figures, the instructions given on Saturday were considered unprecedented and unacceptable. This marked the second significant closure of the landmark within a relatively recent period, following a six-day strike in February 2024 when employees demanded improved maintenance and wage increases.
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