Hungarians protest economic reforms

BUDAPEST, Hungary, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Thousands of union members in Hungary's state sectors went on strike Wednesday protesting reforms proposed by leftist Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany.

Hungarian railways' personnel staged a six-hour strike across the country forcing passenger and freight trains to a standstill after the government said it will close 38 no-profit making local railroads that would leave several thousands of people jobless, the Hungarian news agency MTI reported.

Among state and public employees who joined the railways strike were teachers, oil and gas companies and chemical industry workers and uniformed police officers, the Serbian news agency Beta said.

The Hungarian biggest opposition right-wing Fides party voiced support for the protesters but declined to take part in organizing strikes.

Protesters asked the government to stop healthcare and pension reforms and to abolish university school fees.

Striking Hungarians demanded the government increases wages and state social welfare assistance, Beta said.

Gyurcsany's government plans to cut state budget spendings have won support from the European Union but many Hungarians were against government reforms.