More than a million public sector-workers are expected to go on a 24-hour strike in Portugal [Reuters]

A 24-hour strike in Portugal has disrupted public transportation and grounded flights as trade unions stage a general strike against austerity measures adopted in return for a $104bn international bailout.

More than 470 international flights have been cancelled, while about one million commuters had to make their way to
work on Thursday without regular bus or train services.

Government offices, school classes, mail deliveries, rubbish collection and other public services were also likely to be severely disrupted, authorities told the AP news agency.

The walkout comes amid increasing hardship as Portugal, one of western Europe's vulnerable economies, sheds jobs and sinks deeper into recession.

The strike is expected to one of the biggest in Portugal's history, where mass industrial action is rare.

Though trade unions called for a general strike, few private companies are expected to close.

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