Greece paralysed as workers strike again

Thousands of tourists are stranded in Greece after a strike was called to protest the government's economic austerity measures.

The strike has brought the country to a virtual standstill.

Thousands of tourists are believed to have been affected by the disruption of flights in and out of Greece as air traffic controllers, heeding calls from labour unions, also walked off the job.

The strike, which paralysed Greece for a sixth time in as many months, came ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote on legislation overhauling the pension system.

The pension system is said to be one of the root causes of the debt-ridden country's economic woes.

The reform, demanded by the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, has stirred unprecedented protests and dissent within the ranks of the governing socialist party.