Spain's first general strike in 14 years, 3 weeks before national polls

Now, millions of workers in Spain are striking today to demand that the government remedy the nation's housing crisis. The strike less than three weeks before a national election that could really catapult the far right to power. It is Spain's first general strike in 14 years, with many public services reduced to a minimum. We're going to cross then live to Madrid to talk to our correspondent, Sarah Morris, who joins us from there. Sarah, I mean, firstly, just how widespread is this strike and what effects would you say is it having? It's causing considerable disruption, Stuart, but it really depends. On which sector we look at, it certainly had, for instance, a very high take-up in the ports. We're seeing about 90% of workers are downing their tools at the ports, according to the main unions. The car sector, also similar figures, 85% turnout in the meat industry. But if we look at healthcare and social services... Only 38% of workers are following today's strike, the same for the postal office services. Young people are particularly galvanised by today as a massive protest, and that's really because the call to strike. Over-rising rent prices and house prices really hits them. And we've seen a figure from the Youth Council of Spain. 1,176 euros is the average rental price now. And it's even more in cities like Barcelona and here in Madrid. But that sucks up 99% of a young person's salary. And that's why many of them say we should have been out striking. striking sooner. They've convinced the main unions to back this strike. And of course, very unusual because it comes two days ahead of a general election campaign kickoff. And some people saying that they are striking about what could happen under the next government as much as what has happened during the last eight years of the socialist left-wing government. Yeah, you mentioned those elections, Sarah. I mean, how is the government handling all of this as those elections approach? Well, the Pedro Sanchez socialist left-wing government has essentially tried to own this strike and we've seen very unusually ministers actually after the cabinet meeting press conference even encouraging people to join the strike. That has got a lot of criticism from the Conservatives and those right-wing supporters basically saying that this is a political strike. Like, we did hear earlier. Earlier today on state television from the Employers Association, they said that they are against this strike because they say that everybody's hit by the high price of housing, but employers don't have a magic wand, they said. To do anything about it, it's up to the governments to start building more houses and get them done. And so it's a very controversial strike. And, of course, comes after yesterday's strike by train workers and drivers over what they say is unsafe infrastructure. After, of course, those two deadly crashes have claimed 115 lives in just one year, Stuart. Sarah, thanks very much. Sarah Morris, Sarah, talking to us live from Madrid.