Protest rallies outside Parliament are being planned by Greek trade unions next Wednesday afternoon, when MPs will be wrapping up the debate on the 2011 budget.

The rally is being organised by the umbrella trade union groups General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE), representing the private sector, and the civil servants union federation ADEDY.

In an announcement on Sunday, highschool teachers also announced their intention to join the rally, calling two-hour nationwide work stoppages between 12:00-2:00 p.m. on Wednesday for the morning shift and 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Wednesday for the evening shift. Similar protests and demonstrations will also be held in other Greek cities.