Dbarta24 Desk— Patrick Branco Ruivo, the Chief Executive Officer of the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SET)—the organization responsible for operating the Eiffel Tower—will step down by the end of the year following intense criticism over an incident where female employees were temporarily removed from their duties to accommodate a visiting religious group.
The decision comes after an internal investigation revealed operational oversights that led to female staff members being “unacceptably” reassigned and replaced by male colleagues during a high-profile visit to the iconic Paris landmark.
Religious Visit Triggers Staff Backlash and Strike
The controversy unfolded earlier this month when a delegation of approximately 100 members from the Hindu religious organization Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) visited the Eiffel Tower. According to SET, representatives from BAPS had requested to minimize interaction between men and women during their tour.
In response to the request, management asked female staff members to vacate their posts, replacing them with male employees. Union representatives reported that female employees felt deeply humiliated by the directive. The decision sparked immediate internal revolt, leading employees to stage a strike that forced the temporary closure of the monument.
SET later admitted that accepting such conditional demands was a mistake and should never have been granted.
Political Condemnation Across France
The incident stirred widespread indignation among French political figures, drawing sharp rebukes over gender equality standards at a premier state asset.
Yael Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly, expressed strong disapproval, stating that she could not accept women being forced to step aside to meet the demands of foreign visitors.
Paris Socialist Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire condemned the action, calling the situation “irrational, unjust, and unacceptable.” In response to the breach of institutional norms, two separate investigations were immediately launched to examine the decision-making process.
Operational Overhaul and Apology
Ariel Weil, Chairman of SET, announced that the organization is introducing comprehensive gender equality measures and employee training programs to prevent similar incidents in the future. He confirmed that preparations for a leadership transition will take place over the coming months.
Addressing the fallout, BAPS released a statement apologizing for “any pain or inconvenience caused” by the incident, emphasizing that the organization holds firm to universal values of mutual respect and service.