A sea of hands pushing against the government.<br/> <br />"Hands up, this is theft" they chant of austerity measures Spain introduced last week.<br/> <br />Joining protestors across the country, public sector workers and firemen march in central Madrid, insulting officials at City Hall and Parliament.<br/> <br />Aside from tax increases, civil servants face wage cuts, lay-offs and the elimination of some perks.<br/> <br />With one of the EU's highest unemployment rates, Spain also plans to crack down on those claiming unemployment benefits while working in the black economy.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CRISTIAN, FIREMAN, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We are here to protect our rights because we consider the type of cuts made to be totally unfair at a national level in the way they affect the unemployed, the handicapped and us."<br/> <br />Demonstrators held a mock funeral symbolising the death of labour rights as the country's two largest unions threatened widespread industrial action in September.<br/> <br />Lindsey Parietti, Reuters
