No trains were running across the country, and boats linking the Greek mainland to the islands were anchored at ports. In the capital Athens, the metro, tram and bus systems were all paralysed, leaving taxis as the only form of available public transport.

The public sector was operating at a snail's pace, while most TV and radio stations were refusing to air news bulletins in the fourth crippling general strike since leftist Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras came to office in January 2015.

Greek airports were not affected, however, and privately-run inter-city buses were still operating.

Some 7,000 protesters kicked off the strike with a protest in central Athens.