Greek unions have started a series of strikes and protests to show their resistance to the new and wide-reaching austerity measures up for a vote in parliament on Thursday.

Unions representing job sectors ranging from government workers to sailors and trash collectors took part Monday in strikes and protested at sit-ins at ministry buildings.

The Greek government has been facing growing resistance to the new austerity measures, which were mandated by the International Monetary Fund, the European Union and the European Central Bank.  The new cuts are intended to help resolve the debt crisis that has hit the eurozone.

Last week, the EU, the IMF and the ECB said Greece would receive its next bailout installment of $11 billion, provided it reaches the austerity benchmarks Athens promised in exchange for the rescue payments.

Thousands of Greek public service workers also walked off their jobs earlier this month to protest the government's austerity measures.