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| Spanish workers hold general strike over labour reforms | Spanish workers hold general strike over labour reforms |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Spanish unions are holding a general strike to protest against labour reforms which the government hopes will help cut unemployment. | Spanish unions are holding a general strike to protest against labour reforms which the government hopes will help cut unemployment. |
| Evening marches are planned throughout the country and the transport network will also be affected. | Evening marches are planned throughout the country and the transport network will also be affected. |
| The stoppage comes just a day before the government is due to announce new austerity measures. | The stoppage comes just a day before the government is due to announce new austerity measures. |
| Friday's budget is set to lay out tens of billions of euros in deficit-reduction measures. | Friday's budget is set to lay out tens of billions of euros in deficit-reduction measures. |
| Spain, which has the highest rate of unemployment in the European Union, is under pressure to reduce its budget deficit and bring its public finances under control. | Spain, which has the highest rate of unemployment in the European Union, is under pressure to reduce its budget deficit and bring its public finances under control. |
| The country's two biggest unions have called the action to demonstrate against new legislation which makes it easier and cheaper for companies to fire employees. | |
| The law, which was approved in February, also reduces maximum severance pay to 33 days' salary for each year worked, compared with the current 45 days. | The law, which was approved in February, also reduces maximum severance pay to 33 days' salary for each year worked, compared with the current 45 days. |
| The government insists the reforms will create a more flexible system for businesses and workers, in a country with a stagnant economy that needs to start creating jobs. | The government insists the reforms will create a more flexible system for businesses and workers, in a country with a stagnant economy that needs to start creating jobs. |
| Polls suggested only 30% of workers would take part in the strike, but observers say the results of regional elections on Sunday - which punished the ruling People's Party - may lead to greater participation. | Polls suggested only 30% of workers would take part in the strike, but observers say the results of regional elections on Sunday - which punished the ruling People's Party - may lead to greater participation. |
| "This labour reform was meant to protect entrepreneurs and what it really protects are big companies," Maria Jose said, as she protested outside a warehouse in the capital, Madrid. | "This labour reform was meant to protect entrepreneurs and what it really protects are big companies," Maria Jose said, as she protested outside a warehouse in the capital, Madrid. |
| "That is why we are here fighting together." | "That is why we are here fighting together." |
| Are you in Spain? Are you taking part in the strike? Send us your stories using the form below. | Are you in Spain? Are you taking part in the strike? Send us your stories using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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