Greek public sector holds 24-hour strike against austerity measures

Greece's public sector workers are holding a 24-hour strike, shutting down public services and leaving state-run hospitals accepting only emergency cases to protest austerity policies imposed in return for the country's bailout.

Wednesday's strike did not affect public transport, although some roads in central Athens were briefly shut down for a demonstration. Another rally was scheduled for the evening.

The strike comes as Greece's debt inspectors from the International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank and European Commission return to Athens to review the country's progress in economic reforms.

Greece has been relying on rescue loans from the IMF and other eurozone countries since nearly going bankrupt in 2010. In return, it has had to overhaul its economy, shrink its bloated public sector, cut spending and raise taxes.