SETE CEO Patrick Branco Ruivo has resigned after female employees were removed from the Eiffel Tower during a September visit by a Hindu delegation. An internal investigation found organisational failings and irregularities in how the visit was handled. SETE will create an independent protocol department and roll out gender-equality training after a one-day staff walkout temporarily closed the monument and drew political criticism.
Eiffel Tower Operator CEO Resigns After Female Staff Removed During Religious Visit
FILE PHOTO - The Eiffel Tower shines in a new coat of paint. (is associated with: «Eiffel Tower chief quits after exclusion of women at religious visit») Michael Evers/dpa
Patrick Branco Ruivo, chief executive of SETE — the company that runs the Eiffel Tower — has resigned following public outrage after female employees were removed from the landmark during a visit by a Hindu delegation in September.
SETE said the exclusion of women from the third floor of the tower at the delegation's request was an unacceptable situation. An internal investigation found a series of organisational shortcomings and irregularities in how the visit was planned and managed.
Company Response
In response to the probe's findings, SETE announced it will create an independent protocol department and introduce new measures and staff training to promote gender equality across the organisation. The operator acknowledged it was a mistake to withdraw female staff for the visit.
Reactions And Impact
The episode prompted a one-day staff walkout that forced the Eiffel Tower to close temporarily and drew condemnation from politicians. SETE says the reforms are intended to prevent a repeat, restore public confidence and reinforce equal-treatment policies at the landmark.
The resignation of the CEO marks a high-profile consequence of the controversy as the company begins implementing the recommended changes.
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