Greece hit by 2-day general strike

Greek unions and protesters are planning another 48-hour general strike against new austerity measures imposed by the debt-ridden government.

As the Greek parliament is to vote on implementing harsh austerity measures to receive further International Monetary Fund and European Union funds, unions are planning a two-day general strike beginning on Tuesday, AFP reported.

Airlines, trams, buses, banks, and administration offices are to participate in the strike by reducing their services during peak hours. Hospitals have also announced that they will have limited staff.

The strike is to take place only days after Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou survived a confidence vote in the parliament.

Greece received a 110 billion euro EU-IMF bailout loan last year over its massive debt crisis, but failed to resolve its financial problems.

Greece’s newly-approved austerity plan is worth some EUR 28 billion and includes a privatization program aimed at raising EUR 50 billion and further budget cuts as well as tax increases so that the government may receive further international financial assistance.

Greece has a debt of over EUR 300 billion, which is worth more than 150 percent of its annual economic output.

Anti-government demonstrations have turned violent at times, leaving scores of protesters and security forces injured. The turmoil ranged from nationwide strikes and fruitless negotiations on the formation of a national unity government to calls from opposition parties for snap elections.