Strikes halt transport in Athens

Wednesday, 8 December 2010

Protesters chant slogans against the Greek government's austerity measures outside the parliament in central Athens (AP)

Strikes have halted public transport in Athens for 24 hours, in the latest display of union opposition to austerity measures in crisis-hit Greece.

Buses, the metro, trams and trolleys stopped in the capital along with national rail services, as workers walked off the job in opposition to plans by the Socialist government to restructure state-run transport companies and reduce subsidy payments.

Ferry services to Greek islands and flights were not affected.

Unions have called a nationwide general strike for December 15, demanding that the government ease austerity measures, agreed in return for international bailout loans worth 110 billion euro (£92 billion) through to 2013.

Athens is renegotiating the loan repayment schedule, with both the EU and IMF supportive of an extension.