By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-30 05:49:16 | Updated at 2026-09-30 06:45:24
59 minutes ago
The chief executive of the firm which runs the Eiffel Tower has quit after female staff were left "humiliated" by being sidelined for a Hindu religious group.
Patrick Branco Ruivo, who has served as the head of SETE since 2018, confirmed he will step down from his role by the end of the year.
Earlier this month, women working at the Paris landmark were removed from their positions and replaced by male colleagues during a private visit by around 100 members of a Hindu spiritual movement, known as Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).
The delegation had asked for arrangements to be made to limit "interactions with women" so they could to adhere to their faith.
At the time, the CGT trade union condemned the "workplace instructions that led to female employees being sidelined, replaced and rendered invisible on the basis of their gender".
Female employees were ordered to leave their workstations, and women were prevented from entering or passing through certain areas.
Shortly after the visit, an internal probe was launched, which found that "operational flaws and shortcomings" in organisation had led to the women being sidelined.
The Eiffel Tower was later forced to close after staff staged a walkout over the treatment of the workers.
Patrick Branco Ruivo has announced he will step down from his role as SETE chief by the end of the year
GETTY
BAPS said the visit had been "arranged in conjunction with the Eiffel Tower team at the start of normal opening hours to avoid disrupting or inconveniencing others".
The organisation apologised "for any pain or inconvenience caused", adding: "We believe in the universal values of mutual respect and service."
SETE chairman Ariel Weil confirmed new measures on gender equality training for management would be rolled out in response to the incident.
He said: "The coming months will allow us to prepare for the leadership transition under the best possible conditions."
The row prompted condemnation from across France's political divide.
Equality Minister Aurore Berge said: "In France, we do not ask women to erase themselves. No dogma, no religion is above the laws of the Republic."
National Rally leader Marine Le Pen declared that France would "never accept that women's presence be 'limited'."
Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal added: "In France, no culture, no belief, no religion, nothing and no one can come and dictate to women what their place should be."
BAPS apologised 'for any pain or inconvenience caused' during their visit to the French capital
National Assembly president Yael Braun-Pivet said: "I refuse to allow women to be compelled to step aside in order to meet the demands of foreign visitors."
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire has ordered two investigations into the "absurd, unjust and unacceptable decision" to sideline female workers.
BAPS describes itself as a "spiritual, volunteer-driven fellowship dedicated to improving society" through Hindu values and operates temples around the world, including in London.
The organisation consecrated its first major temple in France just one day after the controversial Eiffel Tower visit.
