Eiffel Tower CEO Resigns After Gender Exclusion Incident
Patrick Branco Ruivo will leave his position following an investigation into the exclusion of female staff during a Hindu group's visit.
The CEO of the Eiffel Tower's operating company will resign by year-end.
An investigation revealed female employees were excluded during a Hindu delegation's visit.
The Eiffel Tower faced protests and a strike over the incident earlier this month.
Patrick Branco Ruivo, the director general of the Société d’Exploitation de la tour Eiffel (SETE), has announced his resignation effective at the end of this year. This decision follows an independent investigation that uncovered operational failures during a visit by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) on September 5, which resulted in the exclusion of female staff members from the delegation's activities.
The investigation highlighted serious lapses in protocol, prompting SETE to label the exclusion of female employees as "an unacceptable situation." This incident sparked significant unrest among staff, culminating in a protest and a strike on September 7, where employees expressed their dissatisfaction with management's directives regarding the visit.
Union representatives criticized the management's instructions as "unacceptable," stating that female staff were instructed to avoid any interaction with the BAPS delegation, which was in Paris to celebrate the opening of a traditional Hindu temple. The BAPS organization, a prominent global Hindu group, has since clarified its stance, emphasizing that it did not intend to cause any distress or inconvenience.
In response to the incident, SETE's chair, Ariel Weil, announced plans to implement new measures and training programs aimed at promoting gender equality within the organization. The Eiffel Tower, a major tourist attraction that welcomes approximately 7 million visitors annually, has a history of labor disputes, and this incident adds to the ongoing dialogue about workplace inclusivity.
Looking ahead, the Eiffel Tower management is expected to take significant steps to address the concerns raised by employees and the public. The company aims to ensure that future visits by delegations are managed more inclusively, fostering an environment of respect and equality. The upcoming months will be crucial as SETE works to rebuild trust among its staff and visitors alike.
