Large protests begin in Greece

Workers in Greece are taking part in a massive strike and demonstrations against new austerity measures to be voted on by the country's parliament.

Transit, hospital and other public workers on Wednesday began the 48-hour nationwide strike called for by major unions over measures including pension cuts and layoffs of about 30,000 civil servants to reduce labor costs. The voting is to take place on Wednesday and Thursday.

Workers in Athens are holding the largest demonstration in the country since the start of its sovereign debt crisis 2 years ago. Protestors are marching through the main streets of the city center, chanting anti-austerity slogans.

Tension is rising in the capital as traffic is paralyzed and many protesters are converging on the parliament building.

The government is trying to persuade the public to accept the measures as necessary for getting new loans to support the country's immediate funding.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 20:45 +0900 (JST)