Portugal is braced for strikes as trade unions protest against reforms aimed at making the economy more competitive.

Under Portugal's labour laws, a minimum level of public services must be maintained in key sectors.

But unions are predicting disruption to transport, school classes and non-emergency hospital surgery.

The General Confederation of Portuguese Workers is against government efforts to cut public spending and make it easier to hire and fire workers.

Its call for a general strike follows a series of protests marches over the past year culminating in a demonstration in Lisbon in December, which brought 100,000 people onto the streets.

The unions are pitted against a centre-left government elected two years ago on a promise to modernise the country and halt its economic decline.

The BBC's Paul Legg says Portugal had the lowest rate of growth of any country in Europe last year - 1.3% - and that the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Greece and Malta have all overtaken Portugal in terms of GDP per head.

The government says its policies are already paying off, with the economy starting to grow at a healthier rate.

But unions say the gains are at the expense of workers, as unemployment has risen to more than 8% - the highest figure for 20 years.

BBC