Patrick Branco Ruivo, the director general of the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), the company managing the iconic Eiffel Tower, is set to resign from his position by the close of 2026. This decision follows an independent investigation into operational failures during a visit by a Hindu religious group, which notably involved the exclusion of female staff members.
Investigation Findings and Staff Discontent
The incident occurred on September 5, 2026, during a visit by approximately 100 individuals associated with the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS). The delegation was in Paris for celebrations related to the inauguration of a new Hindu temple near the city. Reports indicated that SETE management issued instructions advising against contact between female employees and members of the visiting delegation, leading to significant anger and industrial action among staff.
Employees at the Eiffel Tower subsequently went on strike, resulting in the temporary closure of the landmark on September 7. A union official publicly condemned the management's directives as "unacceptable," fueling concerns over the handling of the visit.
SETE's Response and Future Measures
Ariel Weil, the chairman of SETE, acknowledged the findings of the independent investigation. On September 8, he announced that the company would implement new measures and training programs specifically designed to promote gender equality within the workplace. SETE officially described the exclusion of female employees during the visit as "unacceptable."
Ruivo, who has led SETE since late 2018, is stepping down as the company seeks to address the concerns raised by its employees and move forward with the requested reforms. This is not the first instance of industrial action affecting the 137-year-old landmark; the Eiffel Tower also faced a six-day closure in February 2024 due to strikes over maintenance concerns and wage demands. The latest episode, however, has specifically brought workplace practices and gender equality to the forefront of discussions at SETE.