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| 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 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 caused some disruption to public transport and reduced staffing at hospitals. | |
| Organisers are demanding an end to spending cuts and tax rises, which the government says are needed to lead Greece out of six years of recession. | Organisers are demanding an end to spending cuts and tax rises, which the government says are needed to lead Greece out of six years of recession. |
| But a BBC reporter says the protests so far have been the smallest for months. | But a BBC reporter says the protests so far have been the smallest for months. |
| 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 were brought to a standstill, and other public transport was disrupted. | |
| However, many shops stayed open as the Labour Day public holiday was moved to next Tuesday - after Greek Orthodox Easter. | |
| In Athens, hundreds of people rallied outside parliament in Syntagma Square, waving flags and banners. | In Athens, hundreds of people rallied outside parliament in Syntagma Square, waving flags and banners. |
| Pensioner Antonis Mosiadis said politicians should listen to the people. | Pensioner Antonis Mosiadis said politicians should listen to the people. |
| "The fight continues and it will continue. They have gone deaf over there [in parliament] and if we do not continue this fight, soon they will destroy us," he said. | "The fight continues and it will continue. They have gone deaf over there [in parliament] and if we do not continue this fight, soon they will destroy us," he said. |
| The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says 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 - the GSEE and ADEDY - have said that the action will focus on demands to end austerity. | The two largest unions - the 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. |
| 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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