Greece faces general strike over spending cuts

The 48-hour strike comes as parliament prepares to vote on the latest round of austerity measures, including more tax hikes, pay cuts and job losses.

Greece is struggling to reduce a huge government deficit amid fears it may default and set off a eurozone crisis.

The EU and IMF have demanded tough cuts in return for two bailouts.

The BBC's Chris Morris in Athens says the pace of protests in Greece has been increasing for several weeks.

There have been lightning strikes across virtually every sector of the economy, with rubbish not collected and government ministries blockaded by their own workers.

The strike for Wednesday and Thursday has been called by the two big unions that cover public and private sector workers.

Sending a message

Government departments, businesses, offices and shops are all expected to be shut. Planes, trains, buses, taxis and lorries will not be operating. And for the first time, small business owners and shopkeepers are taking part.

"We are going to send a loud message to the government and the political system," said Costas Tsikrikas, the head of the public workers' union Adedy.

"We believe participation will be huge," he said.

The strikers are planning to gather outside the parliament in Athens later on Wednesday morning to protest against the austerity measures.

There were violent clashes outside parliament in June between police and protesters demanding an end to the measures; Kazinform cites BBC.

To learn more go to www.bbc.co.uk