Greece is in the grip of a general strike as unions protest further austerity measures planned for the new year.
Air and maritime transport suffered serious disruption with schools, hospitals and banks also affected.
Morale among Greeks citizens is close to rock bottom: “The strike is a minor thing. Something very significant must happen because we’ve reached the point of being on the verge of jumping out of windows,” said one Athens businessman.
As Greece grinds to halt in Paris, talks between Greek authorities and the EU/IMF stalled.
The budget set by the Greek government failed to win the support of the Trokia of international money lenders.
The continued demands for more austerity come despite Greece exiting a six-year recession and the government’s desire to end the bailout.
Unions described the austerity demands as a “dogmatic obsession”.
Unemployment in the country is running at 26 percent with 50 percent youth unemployment a particular concern.