"Eroding the rights of workers is not the way to solve Spain's problems," insisted Antonio Lopez, an office worker waving a "No to cuts" placard in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, as Spanish workers staged a 24-hour general strike. Industry was brought to a near standstill and public transport was severely disrupted by the mass protests at labour reforms that make it cheaper for employers to hire and fire. Violent outbreaks marked the early hours of the strike, which came 100 days after Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's Popular Party took office vowing to cut Spain's 23pc unemployment rate and lower its deficit. The protest called by Spain's two main trade unions came on the eve of the presentation of the new Budget, which is expected to contain deep austerity measures and possibly tax increases as the conservative government seeks savings of €40bn (£33bn). Dozens of protesters were arrested as pickets clashed with police as well as those ignoring the call to strike and trying to get to work. Six police and three strikers were injured in early skirmishes.
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