Tens of thousands of people have joined demonstrations in several Russian cities to protest against government plans to raise the retirement age.

More than 10,000 people attended a rally in the capital, Moscow, on Saturday.

The event was one of several approved rallies arranged by Russia's Communist Party, with demonstrations also taking place in the country's second-biggest city of St Petersburg and other large urban centres.

The government has proposed gradually raising the pension age from 60 to 65 for men and from 55 to 63 for women. The change would also affect the age at which Russians can receive state retirement pensions.

Demonstrators carried banners with slogans such as "We want to live on our pensions not die at work", according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Gennady Zyuganov, leader of the Communist Party, said the proposed reform would be "a blow to every citizen" and accused President Vladimir Putin's ruling United Russia partyof attempting to pass unpopular legislation.

"The primary mission [of the demonstrations] is explaining that this reform is not good, but United Russia, which is not supported by people, tries to push it through - there are other options".

Unions and activists have raised concerns that, should the proposal be accepted, many people may not live long enough to claim a state pension.

Protesters are calling for a national referendum to be held before the parliament considers further readings of the bill, after it resumes in September.

Earlier this month, Russia's lower house of parliament gave its first-reading approval to the measure, which is intended to address workplace shortages and boost the economy (Aljazeera)