KIEV, Nov. 18 – The Ukrainian authorities fully intend to gradually increase the retirement age for women from 55 to 60 years despite trade union protests.

The intention is stipulated in a draft memorandum by the Ukrainian authorities seeking the second tranche of a loan from the International Monetary Fund posted on the Ekonomichna Pravda online newspaper.

According to the document, the implementation of the pension reform will start in 2011, and a corresponding draft law will be tabled in parliament by December 10, 2010, and its adoption is expected by the end of the year.