Pyongyang, November 27 (KCNA) -- A 24-hour strike in Portugal has grounded flights and halted the public transportation in protest against proposed austerity measures.

Air traffic controllers and workers on Lisbon's metro system were the first to go on strike late on Wednesday.

They are expected to be joined by hundreds of thousands of other workers, including teachers and hospital staff.

They strongly demanded the immediate removal of the austerity measures which brought about higher unemployment rate.