The strike is organised by Greece's two biggest labour unions, jointly representing more than 2.5 million workers.
"Nothing will be moving on Wednesday. The country will be paralyzed. This is the only way for workers to show their opposition to the government's decisions," spokesman Efstathios Anestis of the umbrella workers' union General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) told Reuters.
Meanwhile in Italy, a nationwide protest by truckers against the government's latest budget proposal has affected port operations since Monday.
Italian ports of Genoa, Livornio, La Spezia and Venice were paralysed as truckers blocked the container depots, the terminals and the entrances to the ports.
The situation is expected to ease by today.
Elsewhere, a port staff strike is expected to delay operations at French ports of Fos and Lavera on Friday, December 14.
The strike is expected to be staged between 1300 and 1500 hours. No loading, discharging or disconnection will be possible during the period.