The industrial action is set to affect many public institutions, with thousands of schools set to close today.

Tax offices and municipal services will also be heavily affected, while cancelations of appointments are expected at hospitals and health centres.

This is the first occasion that the country’s two biggest unions have joined forces to stage strike action since the current government came to power.

The major bone of contention for unions is that salaries remain low and no major increases have been proposed in next year’s state budget.