Greek public sector workers strike as lenders check reform progress

Protesters shout slogans as they march outside the parliament during an anti-government rally organised by public sector workers in central Athens September 24, 2013. REUTERS/John Kolesidis

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek public sector workers went on strike for the second time in a week on Tuesday, shutting schools and leaving hospitals with skeleton staff, as inspectors from Greece's foreign lenders checked whether the country was meeting its bailout targets.

Hiring in the civil service has long been considered driven by political patronage and Greece's creditors have said they will not dole out any more money unless Athens reforms a state apparatus accused of being spendthrift and corrupt.