Eiffel Tower chief to quit after female staff told to stay hidden during Hindu group visit
Patrick Branco Ruivo to leave post after decision contrary to France’s ‘value of equality’ sparked outrage and strike
TL;DR
- Patrick Branco Ruivo, head of the Eiffel Tower Operating Company (Sete), will step down at the end of the year.
- The decision follows a controversy where female staff were ordered to stay out of sight during a visit by the BAPS Hindu spiritual movement.
- This exclusion led to a staff strike, a temporary closure of the tower, and widespread outrage.
- Sete acknowledged the BAPS delegation's request to limit interactions with women, stating that these conditions should not have been accepted.
- BAPS apologized for any pain caused, and City Hall also apologized for failing to uphold France's principle of equality.
- The request was made due to the presence of monks and their spiritual leader, whose vows prohibit contact with women.