French 'Spiderman' stages protest climb against pension reform

Daredevil climber made his own contribution to a long-running protest

Published: January 14, 2020 13:33 AFP and Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Digital Content Producer

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French skyscraper climber Alain Robert, popularly known as the 'French Spiderman', leaves a hotel before climbing the Total tower in the west of Paris's business district of La Defense as a symbolic action to support on strike workers on the 40th day of a nationwide movement against a French government pension reform. Image Credit: AFP

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Alain Robert starts the climbing of the Total tower. "People spend 40 years of their lives slaving away, often in a job they don't even like," Alain Robert said before beginning his climb. "We want people to live decently." Image Credit: AFP

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Robert, known worldwide for scaling landmark towers without ropes - and usually without permission - began his ascent of the 187-metre (614-feet) Total building in the La Defense business district at around 10:30am (0930 GMT). Image Credit: AFP

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Passers-by gaped as he mounted the lattice of metal-framed glass panes, taking 52 minutes to reach the top, where as usual police and security guards were waiting. Image Credit: AFP

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"It was quite cold, I couldn't feel the tips of my fingers so it was tricky," Robert said. "And also I'm not in the same shape as I was 20 years ago!" Image Credit: AFP

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"I'm 57, so technically not far from retirement. And climbing is the only way I make money," Robert said before being taken away. Image Credit: AP

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"Will I have to keep climbing solo until I'm 64? Or even 67?" Image Credit: Reuters

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Unions have been waging a crippling transport strike against the pension overhaul since December 5, disrupting train services and making commutes miserable for millions, especially in the Paris region. Image Credit: Reuters

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The government wants to forge a single system from 42 separate schemes and intended to push back the official age for a full pension to 64 from 62 - a measure it withdrew temporarily under union pressure over the weekend. Image Credit: Reuters

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"They need to stop telling people to work more and accept less, because that's what this reform is about," Robert said, echoing claims from France's hard-line unions, which are demanding the government withdraw its plan. Image Credit: Reuters

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It is not the first time Robert has climbed to promote a political message. Image Credit: AFP

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Last August, he unfurled a "peace banner" while racing up the 68 floors of the Cheung Kong Center in Hong Kong as the city was rocked by pro-democracy protests challenging Beijing's authority. Image Credit: AP

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Robert raises his arms as he finished to climb. In 2015, Robert scaled the Engie tower in La Defense to draw attention to calls for a more transparent banking system. Image Credit: AP

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