yasushi kudo reports from athens. >> reporter: major greek labor unions have launched a two-day strike. they are protesting the ruling coalition's acceptance of new austerity measures that include lowering the minimum wage and pension benefits. >> translator: we're not responsible for the country's debt. salaries, pensions, education, medical care, we need all of this. >> reporter: the strike has paralyzed transportation systems across the country. state-run railways and subways have ground to a halt. the walkout has disrupted other public services, too. schools are closed. so are hospitals and administrative offices. the eu bailout is meant to avert the risk of an immediate default. greece needs to repay more than 40 billion euros' worth of bonds by march 20. the funds are tied to a number of conditions, including the greek parliament's approval of the austerity plan. so the government finds itself sandwiched between the demands of the european union and its own citizens, who believe they have sacrificed enough. yasushi kudo, nhk world, athens. >>> the european union and india have ag