Asunción, March 26 (RHC) A general strike called in Paraguay by unions, farmer and social organizations has had a strong impact on several economic sectors following the large participation by the workers.

The protestors are rejecting a privatization law and demanding a 25-percent salary increase, a land reform and an end to repression in rural areas.

Large stoppage of public transportation, closed businesses and many picket lines on the streets along with preventive police actions marked Wednesday morning in the capital Asuncion, where the strike also included schools, and affected telecommunication, electricity and medical services.

Large groups of protestors continued to arrive in Asuncion from other parts of the country to gather at the old Metropolitan Seminary, which hosts the National Farmer Federation.

Taxi cabs drivers are supporting the protest action by blocking traffic on main thoroughfares, PL news agency reported.

Meanwhile, reports from the border city of Ciudad del Este say that the city has been paralyzed by the strike which also affecting other northern Paraguayan areas.