A 24-hour general strike in Greece in protest against the latest austerity measures has disrupted transport, schools and hospitals, while thousands joined a union-organised rally in Athens.
Flights and ferry services have been cancelled, schools and courts are closed and hospitals are operating only an emergency service, the BBC reports.
Thousands of people gathered in the capital, Athens, on Wednesday to join protests organised by the main unions. Protests were also planned for other cities.
The unions say the cuts that have been imposed are making the country's recession worse.
There were skirmishes in the city centre as groups of youths threw stones at the police, who responded with teargas and stun grenades. AFP reports molotov cocktails were thrown at riot police.
The Greek government announced a property tax and the suspension of 30,000 public sector staff last month in its latest measures to avoid defaulting on its debts.
The government says the stringent austerity measures cannot be avoided if the country is to reduce its deficit of 8.5%, a key requirement in securing a second instalment of bailout cash pledged by the EU.
Air traffic controllers, tax workers, teachers, hospital staff, public transport workers, police and other emergency workers were on strike.
