Ukraine parliament OKs pension reform in 1st reading

KIEV, June 16 (Reuters) - Ukrainia's parliament on Thursday approved the first of two readings of the pension reform bill needed to restart co-operation with the International Monetary Fund.

The bill, which needs be passed on a second reading to become law, will gradually raise the retirement age for women to 60 from 55 and includes other steps aimed at plugging the financing gap in the former Soviet republic's pension fund. (Reporting by Natalya Zinets; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Ruth Pitchford)