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Eiffel Tower Workers Strike, Saying Women Were Excluded From Hindu Group’s Visit

The New York Times • September 8, 2026 • world

Key Points:

The Eiffel Tower closed on Monday after staff went on strike in protest of female employees being excluded during a visit by the Hindu group BAPS, with women asked to leave their stations and replaced by male colleagues.
The union representing the workers described the incident as humiliating for the women, who were made invisible at a national symbol, leading to shock among employees.
BAPS members visited Paris for the inauguration of a Hindu temple; the group’s monks take vows prohibiting them from speaking to or touching women, which influenced the visit arrangements.
The Eiffel Tower’s operating company, SETE, acknowledged that the conditions limiting interactions with women should not have been accepted and stated they conflict with their values of gender equality and neutrality.
The tower reopened to visitors on Tuesday following the strike and public criticism from French politicians regarding the exclusionary practices during the visit.

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