Spain gripped by general strike

Demonstrators in Barcelona picket outside Spain's biggest department store as part of Thursday's general strike.

Spaniards are protesting government spending cuts and labour reforms that makes it cheaper for companies to fire people and dismantles the nation wide system of collective bargaining.

With Spain now tipping into its second recession in three years, protesters also targeted the city's stock market.

Those taking part in the strike said it was important to fight the government's plans.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROTESTER, LORENZO:

"I am here because of the new government's abuse when it comes to spending cuts, which would erase and deny all the achievements we reached with many years of work and sacrifice. It's going to be irreversible."

Protesters also took the streets in the capital Madrid.

Many transport workers joined the strike, meaning buses and trains were running limited services.

The transport problems were compounded by a cycling protest - where cyclists supported the strike by taking their bikes onto the highway, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Spanish Unions, who declared the day's action a success, said a high turnout for the strike had also practically brought heavy industry to a halt..

Simon Hanna, Reuters.