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| Greeks stage 24-hour anti-austerity general strike | Greeks stage 24-hour anti-austerity general strike |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A general strike against tough austerity measures is under way in Greece, with 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 spending cuts and tax rises. | |
| The government says the measures are badly needed to lead Greece out of a deep financial crisis and six straight years of recession. | |
| 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 at midnight on Tuesday to mark labour day. May 1 is not a public holiday in Greece this year, as that has been moved to next Tuesday - after Orthodox Easter. | |
| The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says public transport will be disrupted, ferries halted and hospitals will work on skeleton staff. | |
| But he says it remains to be seen how big Tuesday's rallies will be, as there have been far fewer strikes and protests this year, and there is a feeling the civil unrest is beginning to die down. | |
| Nevertheless, demonstrations are planned across the country, with police on alert for a repeat of past violence. | |
| The two largest unions - GSEE and ADEDY - have said that the action will focus on demands to end austerity. | The two largest unions - GSEE and ADEDY - have said that the action will 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. |
| Mr Samaras has defended his policies, insisting that this year of recession will be the country's last. | Mr Samaras has defended his policies, insisting that this year of recession will be the country's last. |
| Our correspondent says that more than 20 general strikes have failed to halt the cuts, and the government feels emboldened by the cautious optimism of its international creditors. | |
| 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. Talk of exit from the eurozone has receded. | |
| However, our correspondent says the optimism has not reached the streets, where the mood remains dire given the record unemployment levels. | |
| Other May Day action has been taking place across in the world: | |
| 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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