France's Senate has approved a proposal to increase the retirement age by two years, to 64. Senate members voted 201 to 115 in favor of the bill. 

The vote comes against the backdrop of massive strikes and protests that have thrown many sectors into limbo as public sector staff and other workers opposed President Emmanuel Macron's proposal.

What is the deal?

The French government is looking to realign the country's pension system despite strong opposition from labor unions, saying that it is financially unsustainable otherwise. 

On top of pushing retirement age to 64, Macron is seeking to incerase the period of payment required to qualify for a full state pension.

Macron's government argues that the unpopular measures are needed to shore up the scheme for the future. 

Despite clearing the Senate on Thursday, the bill is still bouncing between France's chambers of parliament. 

President Emmanuel Macron'sadjustment of pensions also needs to be approved by the lower house of the French parliament, the National Assembly, where majority support might not be as easy to come by.

The lower house is also working on proposed amendments in the form of a compromise plan that might also be sent to the Senate for a vote. 

Strong opposition

The increase of retirement age and the proposed changes to the pensions face stiff opposition from parts of French society.

Left-wing politicians voiced anger after the Senate voted in favor of the reforms.

"Your name will forever be attached to a reform that will set the clock back almost 40 years," Socialist Monique Lubin told Labor Minister Oliver Dussopt.

Labor unions have promised to increase pressure on the government by calling for mass action by workers across different sectors.

Fuel deliveries, schools, trains, and flights are being disrupted by the demonstrations.

Dock workers have joined strikes in a bid to convince Macron to change his stance on the bill that he has championed in both of his presidential campaigns — he gave up on the proposed reforms amid the onset of the Covid pandemic in his first term. 

Most other European countries have already hiked the retirement age to 65 or over, with France's retirement system among Europe's and particularly western Europe's most generous. 

dmn/msh (dpa, Reuters)