A nationwide general strike disrupted public transport across Athens, Greece on Wednesday as public and private sector workers protested changes to the country’s labor laws.

No taxis in Athens or trains were running Wednesday morning with closures expected all day.

Buses and the city’s subway and tram services were operating on a reduced schedule.

Ferries to and from the Greek islands were also docked in a port near Athens.

Unions representing civil servants and private sector workers called the strike to protest labor law changes that will introduce more flexibility, including allowing overtime that could stretch shifts to 13 hours in a day.

Unions argue the new rules leave workers vulnerable to labor abuses by employers.

Eleni, a nurse in Athens, told the Associated Press that "workers are exhausted."

"Instead of hiring new people to fill positions, reducing workloads, and keeping the five-day work week as it is, the government say it’s time to pass more harmful measures against the worker," she added.

The strike is also disrupting services across the country, including in schools, courts, public hospitals and municipalities.

Two protest marches were planned in central Athens later Wednesday morning, with demonstrations also set for other cities.

Posters advertising the rallies were plastered on lampposts across the Greek capital.

AP video by Lefteris Pitarakis, Petros Giannakouris and Thanassis Stavrakis