In Portugal, the largest strike in decades is getting underway. Transport has been affected already. The aim of the stoppage is to protest against the austerity programme. The government says it is necessary to deal with the debt crisis being faced by the country. The strike is the first joint one by Public and Private Sector workers in more than twenty years. The strike comes two days before the parliament in Lisbon is to vote on an austerity budget. Transport, industry and schools are set to be severely affected by the strike.