Greece ground to a halt as tens of thousands of striking workers crammed the streets of Athens yesterday. It was the second one-day general strike by unions in three weeks despite a government retreat over plans for pension reforms.
Public transport was paralysed, rail, air and shipping services heavily curtailed, and radio and television stations silenced. Four protesters were injured in clashes with police.
The four injured - described by police as anarchists - were hurt in a clash with police officers in the city centre near where the main demonstration was dispersing. One person was detained in hospital in serious condition and the other three were released after treatment.
A previous strike last month had already forced the government to go back on original proposals to raise the retirement age and change the way pension funds are administered.
The government says it now wants dialogue with the unions without preconditions.