The Greek parliament has narrowly approved new austerity measures that will see up to 15,000 public sector workers lose their jobs. The Bill passed by just 13 votes and came as thousands rallied outside the parliament in Athens against the Bill.

The Greek coalition says it had no option but to make the cuts to meet the Troika requirements for the release of new bailout funds.

Meanwhile Athens police have banned protests in the downtown area during a visit by the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble.

Greece is now in a 6th year of recession as it struggles with record unemployment and plummeting living standards.

Hundreds of workers have taken to the streets in more than a week of rowdy protests against government plans to cut thousands of public sector jobs to please Greece's lenders.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators defied a ban on protests during a visit there by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in October. Pictures lampooning Merkel as a latter-day Nazi were used.

Mr. Schaeuble is visiting Athens for the first time since the debt crisis erupted to offer Greece €100 million for a fund to promote growth. Reports say some 3,500 police will be deployed during his visit.