A 48-hour strike by civil servants’ umbrella union ADEDY began on Wednesday (today) as public sector employees protested dismissals in their sector imposed by the troika as part of cost-cutting measures.

Rallies were being organized throughout Wednesday in Athens and the northern port city of Thessaloniki. In the capital, a rally was scheduled to take place at Klafhtmonos Square at 11 a.m. A second rally was expected to take place at the same spot at 1 p.m. with a march toward Parliament where it will be followed by a concert. Traffic problems were expected in central Athens.

A rally was also taking place at the statue of Eleftherios Venizelos in Thessaloniki at 11 a.m.

Doctors and nursing staff at state hospitals were also participating in the industrial action with hospitals set to operate on skeleton staff.

The Union of Secondary School Teachers (OLME) was also taking part in the two-day strike and has announced a 24-hour strike for Friday.