Correspondent David Schweimler: Demonstrations in freezing conditions

The unions - with the support of the main left-wing opposition parties - are demanding that the working week be cut to 35 hours to create more jobs.

Spain's 19% unemployment rate is one of the highest in the European Union.

Tens of thousands of workers took part in demonstrations which were organised by Spain's two main union groups, the General Workers Union (UGT) and the Workers Commissions (CCOO).

PM Jose Maria Aznar - the government says its policies are working

In Madrid, some 10,000 demonstrators were led by UGT chief Candido Mendez and CCOO head Antonio Gutierrez as well as opposition Socialist party leader Josep Borrell and representatives of the United Left party.

A similar number turned out in Barcelona while smaller demonstrations took place elsewhere.

More and better jobs needed

In a statement released earlier in the day, the unions said they were demanding reduction of the working week to 35 hours without pay cuts "as an efficient way of creating more and better jobs."

The Minister of Employment, Javier Arenas, said while he respected the right of the unions to protest, the Spanish Government's policies were working and thousands of new jobs were being created.

The government has made much of recent reductions in unemployment, but Spanish jobless figures remain far higher than the European average.

The protest marches were also called to demand improved benefits for the unemployed, particularly the long-term jobless with few chances of finding new employment.

In the statement, the unions claimed that half of those without a job do not receive economic benefits.

Tax reform criticised

A tax reform promising rate cuts to come into effect in 1999 is perceived by the unions as a "present for the rich," and constitutes a third reason to march, according to their statement.

They reject government claims that the reform, predicted to reduce tax revenue by 600 billion pesetas ($4.3bn), will benefit low income families most, and promote economic growth by encouraging people to spend, save and invest.