PARIS -- After endless debate, which led for several weeks to huge strikes -- mainly in the transportation system -- and massive demonstrations, the French Parliament has largely approved, in spite of opposition from most unions, a bill reforming the laws on retirement. It will have two major effects:
* As a consequence of a declining birthrate and longer life expectancy, people will have to work one year more, and later two, to be able to receive the pensions they are entitled to today.
* With the exception of the army, railways, and the electricity and gas companies -- where the status quo will be maintained for now -- public employees, whose age of retirement was 2 1/2 years lower than in the private sector, will lose this privilege.