Eiffel Tower staff strike after female workers removed for Hindu group
Yahoo News
Last updated: September 8, 2026
The Eiffel Tower closed on Monday due to a strike by its staff. The strike was triggered by the removal of female employees at the request of a Hindu group visiting the landmark. This action led to immediate operational disruptions.
The closure of the Eiffel Tower affected thousands of tourists. The decision to remove female staff was made to accommodate the visiting Hindu group's specific religious practices, which reportedly do not permit women to be present.
This accommodation was met with strong opposition from the employees' union and other staff members, who viewed it as discriminatory. They argued that such a request violated principles of equality and non-discrimination.
The strike led to the cancellation of all visits and a halt in ticket sales for the day. The Eiffel Tower's official website acknowledged the closure, citing operational reasons without elaborating on the specifics of the dispute.
The incident highlights the complex challenges that arise when cultural or religious sensitivities intersect with operational policies in public spaces. The workers' union vowed to continue the strike until assurances were given that such discriminatory practices would not be repeated.
