Suburban rail and tram workers in Greece went on a 24-hour strike on Monday to protest the government's planned austerity measures meant to meet international creditors' requirement for a $10.7 billion bailout loan.

Buses and trolleys stopped operating for several hours in the middle of the day while air traffic controllers refused to work overtime in response to the government's plan to collect a new property tax through electricity bills, cut pension and increase taxes.

Transport unions, meanwhile, plan to hold a two-day strike later this week claiming that previous austerity measure failed to cut the budget deficit.

The government only has enough funds to operate until mid-October and wants to get the nod of debt inspectors from the International Monetary Fund, European Commission and European Central Bank for the release of portion of a $151 billion rescue package approved last year.

The inspectors have suspended review of Greek reforms early this month and their return to Athens is keenly awaited.
Greece needed the $10.7 billion loan to service debts and pay salaries and pensions of government workers.