Spain: Mercabarna barricaded in protests
A syndicalist sets up a barricade of burning tires at the main entrance of Mercabarna, the biggest wholesale market in Barcelona, on March 29, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. Spanish workers staged a general strike to protest the governments new labour reform. (Zimbio.com)
Spanish unions are holding a general strike to protest against labour reforms which the new government hopes will help cut unemployment.
Road, rail and air transport were all affected.
Unions claimed strong support at industrial sites but Mariano Rajoy's conservative government played down the action.
It plans to unveil measures on Friday to save tens of billions of Euro.
The strike is the government's first big challenge since taking office.