ATHENS: Public transport workers in the Greek capital have walked off the job in a 24-hour strike, snarling traffic around Athens, while a doctors' strike has left hospitals functioning with emergency staff.

Athens was without buses, suburban rail and trolleys Thursday, while dock workers began a 48-hour strike that was to leave islands without ferries for two days. Hospital doctors and ambulance workers were also on strike for the day.

The civil servants' union has declared a three-hour work stoppage at all public services from noon in solidarity.

Workers have been protesting Greece's latest austerity measures, under which some stand to lose about 25 percent of their pay. The country has been gripped by a severe financial crisis since late 2009, and depends on international rescue loans to remain solvent.