Helsinki, September 19 (RHC)-- Some 30,000 people have taken to the streets of the Finnish capital Helsinki to voice their anger at the harsh austerity measures planned by the government.

Large crowds of people, including government personnel, industrial and transport workers, and a number of police officers, walked off their jobs on Friday and attended the protest in a central square of the capital.

The demonstrators are opposed to the government’s plans to enhance the competitive advantage of the Finnish economy by five percent in three years by slashing workers’ payments and benefits.

Last week, Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila announced a set of austerity measures, including cutting annual holidays from 38 to 30 days, slashing sick leave pay, and reducing overtime pay, calling them “indispensable” to revive the economy.