ANKARA, Nov 29: Thousands of Turkish workers clashed with police in Ankara on Saturday at a procession organised by the country’s two biggest unions to protest growing prices and a possible new agreement with International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The workers chanted slogans against the government and the IMF, which is holding negotiations with Turkey on a loan to stop the impact of the global financial crisis on the country.

Riot police used truncheons and teargas to disperse stone-throwing protesters after clashes erupted when police asked demonstrators to leave behind sticks used to carry their signs before entering a square in the city centre.

Six police officers and several protesters were injured and being treated in hospital, the state Anatolian news agency reported.

“We will not pay the price of the crisis,” a sign carried by protesters said. University students were also among those at the demonstration.

The rising price of basic commodities such as heating gas has hurt consumers and the government is working on a stimulus package to trim rising unemployment, which is hovering around 10 per cent.—Reuters