Strikes paralyse Greek trains

Train services across Greece were halted today after staff began a series of strikes in protest at planned cuts.

The debt-laden country’s railways are €10bn in the red, and the government has announced plans to chop benefits and move excess personnel to other public sector jobs.

A draft law expected to be approved in parliament tomorrow will also allow the partial privatisation of the rail operator and open the way for private passenger services.

The railway workers’ union began a 24-hour strike today which will be repeated tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday.

Union officials have threatened to burn any privately operated trains that are used.

Routes will also be disrupted on Thursday and Saturday.