The general strike has begun, and as usual there are differing views as to participation. The Government says that, so far, everything is pretty normal with the ports, large markets, transport and industry operating almost normally. The unions are claiming a ‘full stop’ in major industries, transport, large markets and the ports with almost 100% support for the strike.
The unions have criticised what they call a ‘spectacular’ deployment of police in Sevilla. The Government says it is defending both the rights of those who wish to participate in the strike action and those who exercise their right not to participate.
In the first seven hours of the strike there have been 32 arrests and 12 injuries, four of the injured being members of the security forces.
Many bars and restaurants in Málaga city centre have decided to close after groups of pickets and protesters have been moving from area to area to ‘explain’ the situation and provide ‘information’ to the owners.