++ROUGH-CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION++

A convoy of petrol trucks attempted to reach Greece's parliament on Wednesday (November 7), as drivers joined the country's general strike to protest against the new wave of austerity measures due to voted on by the Greek parliament.

The trucks drove down Athens national highway before being turned away by police.

It's the second day of a nation-wide strike that has brought most public transport to a halt and shut schools, banks and government offices.

Municipal workers occupied the offices of the Public Administration Ministry, to demonstrate against further wage cuts.

They workers then continued their protest in a convoy of motorcycles but they were stopped by riot police, who have been called in to secure the area around the parliament building ahead of a planned protest where thousands of demonstrators are expected.

Inside parliament, Greece's coalition government is hoping to overcome its own divisions and defy protesters' fury to push through an austerity package needed to secure an injection of aid and avert bankruptcy.

The vote is the biggest test for Prime Minister Antonis Samaras' government since it came to power in June, and he is expected to narrowly win support for the cocktail of budget cuts, tax hikes and labour reforms.