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.

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.

Government departments, businesses, offices and stores are all expected to be shut, with small business owners and shopkeepers taking part in strike action for the first time.

Air traffic controllers are staging a 12-hour walk-out, with some 150 domestic and international flights cancelled. Trains, buses, taxis and lorries will not be operating strike over recent days by rubbish collectors has left uncollected waste piling in the streets.

Hundreds of dock workers have gathered at the main port of Piraeus, while hundreds of prison guards protested outside the justice ministry.