Thousands protest austerity measures in Madrid

Thousands of Spaniards took to the streets of Madrid on Saturday (November 23) to raise their voices against austerity polices and the ruling People's Party.

Members of Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) and Union General de Trabajadores (UGT) unions joined by health and education workers marched in the Spanish capital, chanting slogans and holding placards supporting the public services.

After a series of stern austerity measures Spain just pulled clear of recession in the third quarter of 2013 and inflation eased in October, data showed, laying the foundations for a gradual recovery in consumer spending though the country's economic crisis looks far from over.

Last year in an effort to ease pressure on markets the government approved a labour market reform that allowed employers to fire staff more easily.

Changes in health provisions include excluding unofficial immigrants from accessing free health services and increasing patient payments for extra treatments such as