Greece hit by new 24-hour general strike over austerity

 

The strike has largely shut down public transport in the capital

A 24-hour general strike is underway in Greece in protest at the nation's austerity measures.

Flights and ferry services are expected to be cancelled, schools will be closed and hospitals will be working with reduced staff.
Greece's biggest unions will want a huge turn-out to prove that resistance is still strong.
The European Commission is meeting later to discuss co-ordination on propping up banks in Europe.
Global financial markets have been in turmoil over fears that Greece could default on its debt, increasing the cost of borrowing for other debt-laden countries.
On Monday, Italy's credit rating was slashed by the Moody's ratings agency, which blamed a loss in confidence in eurozone governments.
'Stunting growth' Wednesday's general strike in Greece is the first since the government announced an emergency property tax and the suspension of 30,000 public sector staff last month.
"People are very angry," Greek civil servant and trade unionist Tiana Andreou told the BBC.
"Not only because of the measures that the government's taking but because of the whole situation. Our lives have been ruined. We have decided that we're going to stop this."

This is expected to be the biggest show of force from Greece's public sector workers in many weeks.
For the first time this year, air traffic controllers will stop work for 24 hours, causing major disruption at Athens airport, while many hospitals and schools will also close.
Public anger against the austerity measures is growing but the government says it will stay its course.
It is, though, a race against time, as this country rushes to implement deep structural reforms and public sector cuts to avoid defaulting on its debt: something that could spread contagion throughout the global economy.

Greece must implement the stringent austerity measures in order to secure its next instalment of bailout cash from the EU.

Inspectors from the IMF, European Central Bank and European Commission have been in Greece this week to assess its financial situation.
On Monday, eurozone finance minister delayed a decision on handing over the money, after Greece said it would not meet this year's deficit cutting plan.
The government admitted that the budget deficit will stand at 8.5% this year, rather than the 7.5% target.
Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Tuesday that the government had enough cash to pay pensions, salaries and bondholders until mid-November.
Greece had previously said it needed more money by mid-October to avoid a default.
The government's austerity measures are hugely unpopular and have led to a wave of strikes and protests.
Some militant civil servants are promising to sabotage the reforms and on Tuesday, protesters again blocked the entrance to several government departments including the finance and transport ministries.
They say the austerity drive is deepening the recession, stunting Greece's growth - the economy will shrink 5.5% this year - and stopping Greece from being able to reduce its government debt itself.