MADRID, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Workers and protesters took to the streets across Spain on Wednesday during a nationwide general strike under the slogan "Salaries, Housing, Prices," demanding higher wages, affordable housing and measures to ease the rising cost of living.
The 24-hour strike was organized by Spain's two largest trade union confederations, the General Union of Workers (UGT) and the Workers' Commissions (CCOO), with support from other unions and social organizations, including tenants' unions. It marked the first nationwide general strike jointly called by UGT and CCOO since 2012.
Demonstrations were held in major cities including Madrid and Barcelona. Protesters blocked highways and major urban roads in Madrid and Catalonia on Wednesday morning, temporarily interrupting traffic.
According to Spanish railway operator Renfe, about 24 percent of high-speed and long-distance train services and 10.2 percent of commuter and other public rail services had been canceled as of Wednesday morning.
Clashes between protesters and police were also reported in several cities. In Madrid, police used pepper spray during an intervention at Mercamadrid, the capital's main wholesale food market. According to CCOO, at least 13 people received medical attention following the incident.
Spanish national broadcaster RTVE reported that more than 50 people had been arrested nationwide in connection with strike-related incidents, including alleged public disorder, resisting or disobeying police, assaulting officers and property damage.
Meanwhile, Spain's Interior Ministry said the National Police and Civil Guard had recorded 653 incidents related to the strike in the first hours of the strike.
In Barcelona, residents interviewed by Xinhua expressed differing views on the strike. Omar Teston voiced support for the protests, citing the housing crisis and financial pressures facing young people.
"There is a very big housing crisis in Spain and young people, above all, cannot access housing and their salaries are not enough," he told Xinhua.
However, Jose Ramon Planells questioned whether the strike was the best way to bring about change. "I think that there are ways of turning things around that are better than this strike," he said, emphasizing the importance of voting in the upcoming general election.
The strike came ahead of Spain's snap general election scheduled for Nov. 29, with the official election campaign set to begin on Friday. Rising rents, a shortage of affordable housing and declining purchasing power have fueled public discontent in recent years.
