8 Feb 2012

Another austerity protest in Greece

9:34 am on 8 February 2012

Thousands of people gathered outside the Greek parliament in Athens on Tuesday to protest against further proposed austerity measures.

Some scuffled with the police and tried to break down barriers.

A general strike has also shut public transport, schools and banks across Greece.

Leaders of the coalition parties in the government are under intense European pressure to sign off a new austerity package so Greece can qualify for bailout funds from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

The Greek economy has shrunk 12% since 2008.

On Monday, the government agreed to pass a new law allowing more civil service employees to be fired. The BBC reports that 15,000 jobs are likely to be cut.