What had been a largely peaceful protest by tens of thousands of Spaniards erupts into violence on the streets of Madrid.

Police, also out in force, fire rubber bullets as protesters hurl rocks and bottles.

A central government official said 19 protesters and 50 police officers were hurt.

The violence came after a mass rally against European Union-imposed austerity measures.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development says they're hitting the poor in Spain more than any other member country.

The march brought demonstrators out onto the streets for causes from employment to housing, health, education and poverty.

Spain tentatively came out of recession in the second half of last year.

Despite unemployment has soared following labour reforms that cut the cost of hiring and firing workers.

A hoped-for jobs boost has yet to materialise.