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The protestors marched on parliament in Athens, beating drums and blowing whistles as part of the first 24-hour strike of the year.

Minor clashes broke out at one stage when police fired tear gas at hooded youths throwing stones.

Greece's two biggest trade unions, representing half the four million-strong workforce called the strike.

The demonstrators cited pensions, emergency taxes, and the high cost of life as some of their concerns as Greece remains under the grip of the Troika bail out deal which is destroying workers’ lives.

Demonstrations were also held in Thessaloniki and Crete where thousands more took to the streets.

Yesterday’s action came just before international lenders are due to arrive in country to discuss the next instalment of the bailout.

The government has imposed waves of unfair spending cuts and tax rises, damaging pay and pensions and creating a record 26% unemployment level.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has used an emergency law twice in recent months to order sailors and metro staff back to work during strike action but the Greek people continue to use their legal right to protest.

There have been more than 20 general strikes in Greece since the crisis began.