Eiffel Tower closed in row over women removed for Hindu group

The Eiffel Tower was closed on Monday after a work stoppage by its staff.

The stoppage was prompted by a dispute that arose during a visit by a Hindu religious group, when female employees were reportedly removed from their duties. Workers said they were instructed to replace or sideline women, describing the action as making them “invisible because of their sex.”

Employees condemned the instructions, stating that the removal of female staff was not based on operational needs but on gender. The staff described the measures as a systematic sidelining of women during the group’s visit.

Both workers and management confirmed that the strike was a direct response to the alleged instructions, and the tower remained shut while the matter was addressed.

The incident has raised concerns about gender discrimination in the assignment of staff at the landmark, prompting calls for clarification of the policies governing employee roles during private group events.