Public sector workers in Attica and Thessaloniki will hold a work stoppage on Thursday, March 29, from 11.30 a.m. until the end of their shift in protest at reformed to the state healthcare sector, their union, ADEDY, announced on Friday.

At noon on the same day, workers will stage a rally at Athens's Mavili Square, while similar gatherings will be held in Thessaloniki and other cities.

ADEDY and representatives of healthcare workers' unions will be holding a joint press conference on Wednesday, March 28, in order to outline their complaints and demands.

These stem from concerns that austerity measures adopted by the cash-strapped state for streamlining of the country's hospitals and medical services have created staff shortages, while cutbacks to medical spending have undermined the quality of services the national healthcare system is able to provide.