Parts of Greece have been experiencing power cuts – after electricity workers began a 48-hour strike on Thursday over privatisation plans.

The Greek parliament is debating a bill that would allow the government to sell off 30 percent of the Public Power Corporation (PPC), the country’s biggest electricity producer.

A series of strikes have been planned over the move, sparking fears of power outages.

Shop owner Zoi Regavi told euronews: “Recently I was in hospital and I saw so many sick people in need of support from machines. How can someone cut off the power to them?”

Restaurant owner Thomas Mpellos was concerned about the heat, saying: “It’s summer and temperatures are high. Without power, the air conditioners won’t work.”

Greece needs to liberalise its power sector in order to comply with the terms of its international bailout and qualify for more rescue loans.

Euronews’ Akis Tatsis reported from Athens: “The employees of the Public Power Corporation demonstrating in central Athens stress that this is just the start of their fight to stop the part-privatisation. But the Greek government appears committed to it despite harsh criticism from opposition parties.”