Tens of thousands of Greeks continue on strike as they go for a nationwide general protest over planned pension scheme reforms.

In the country's capital Athens, commuters struggled to get to work because large part of the public transportation system has been halted, including the metro and the suburban railway.

One woman and her son tried to take the metro but found it closed.

"Yes, it is creating some difficulties but the demands of all those striking are just, that's what I was telling my son yesterday.''

Opinion polls show that most Greeks oppose the reforms that would unify pension and health funds. The reforms would also extent the retirement age for women and working mothers.

The country's parliament is expected to vote on the pension reform plans late Thursday, and a rally was planned at that time in the Square in front of the parliament building.

Unions say they would continue the national protest, the third time in the country since the end of last year.