Workers in public transport will hold a 24-hour strike on Wednesday, continuing a week of labour action in protest against wage cuts and staff transfers planned by the government.

Responding to appeals from Athens' shop owners, however, they agreed to ease planned strikes on Thursday and Friday in order to allow the public to do their Christmas shopping.

In the meantime, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks ministry general secretary Haris Tsiokas said the ministry was mulling the possibility of a civil mobilisation order if strike action escalated further.

No form of public transport will be operating in Athens on Wednesday, while there is also a strike by the Greek Railways Organisation (OSE) that will affect train services throughout the country - including some services that depart on Tuesday but arrive at their destination on Wednesday.

On Thursday the buses will operate between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. while the metro, electric railway and tram have cancelled a 24-hour strike and will instead run between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. to allow shoppers access to the city centre and markets.

All strike action on Christmas Eve has been called off except a work stoppage by buses during the middle of the day when the workers will hold a general meeting.