This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22362757
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Greeks stage 24-hour anti-austerity general strike | Greeks stage 24-hour anti-austerity general strike |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A general strike against tough austerity measures has begun in Greece, with the country's trade unions calling for "mass mobilisation" of protesters. | A general strike against tough austerity measures has begun in Greece, with the country's trade unions calling for "mass mobilisation" of protesters. |
| The 24-hour action is expected to severely disrupt public services, including transport and hospitals. | The 24-hour action is expected to severely disrupt public services, including transport and hospitals. |
| The organisers are demanding an end to cuts and tax rises, which have led to six straight years of recession. | The organisers are demanding an end to cuts and tax rises, which have led to six straight years of recession. |
| The government says the measures are badly needed to lead Greece out of a deep financial crisis. | The government says the measures are badly needed to lead Greece out of a deep financial crisis. |
| The cabinet of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras says the policies are part of continuing moves to ensure more bailout money from international creditors. | The cabinet of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras says the policies are part of continuing moves to ensure more bailout money from international creditors. |
| Cautious optimism | Cautious optimism |
| The 24-hour strike officially began on midnight Tuesday to mark labour day on 1 May. | The 24-hour strike officially began on midnight Tuesday to mark labour day on 1 May. |
| Although, in Greece this year the holiday has been moved to next Tuesday - after Orthodox Easter. | Although, in Greece this year the holiday has been moved to next Tuesday - after Orthodox Easter. |
| The two largest unions - GSEE and ADEDY - have said that the action would focus on demands to end austerity. | The two largest unions - GSEE and ADEDY - have said that the action would focus on demands to end austerity. |
| They say that government measures have led to the country's record unemployment rate of 27%, including almost 60% among young people. | They say that government measures have led to the country's record unemployment rate of 27%, including almost 60% among young people. |
| Public transport is expected to be badly affected, ferries to and from Greek islands halted and hospitals will work on skeleton shifts. | Public transport is expected to be badly affected, ferries to and from Greek islands halted and hospitals will work on skeleton shifts. |
| Police have been put on high alert amid fears of a repeat of violence seen during some previous protests. | Police have been put on high alert amid fears of a repeat of violence seen during some previous protests. |
| Mr Samaras defends his policies, insisting that this year of recession will be the country's last. | Mr Samaras defends his policies, insisting that this year of recession will be the country's last. |
| More than 20 general strikes have failed to halt the cuts, and the government feels emboldened by the cautious optimism of its international creditors, the BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens reports. | More than 20 general strikes have failed to halt the cuts, and the government feels emboldened by the cautious optimism of its international creditors, the BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens reports. |
| Nearly 3bn euros (£2.5bn; $4bn) of bailout money were approved this week, with another 6bn euros set to come on 13 May. | Nearly 3bn euros (£2.5bn; $4bn) of bailout money were approved this week, with another 6bn euros set to come on 13 May. |
| Since 2010, the European Union and the IMF have promised more than 200bn euros in lending for Greece. | Since 2010, the European Union and the IMF have promised more than 200bn euros in lending for Greece. |
| 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. | |
| Read the terms and conditions |