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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. | 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 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 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. Trains and ferries are at a standstill, other public transport is disrupted and hospitals are working with reduced staff. | The 24-hour strike officially began at midnight. Trains and ferries are at a standstill, other public transport is disrupted and hospitals are working with reduced staff. |
| However, many shops will stay open as the labour day public holiday has been moved to next Tuesday - after Orthodox Easter. | However, many shops will stay open as the labour day public holiday has been moved to next Tuesday - after Orthodox Easter. |
| In Athens, hundreds of people rallied outside parliament in Syntagma Square, waving flags and banners. | |
| The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens 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. | The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens 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. | 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. |
| "Our message today is very clear: Enough with these policies which hurt people and make the poor poorer," Ilias Iliopoulos, general secretary of ADEDY, told Reuters news agency. | "Our message today is very clear: Enough with these policies which hurt people and make the poor poorer," Ilias Iliopoulos, general secretary of ADEDY, told Reuters news agency. |
| "The government must take back the austerity measures, people can't take it any more." | "The government must take back the austerity measures, people can't take it any more." |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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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