Greek civil servants launched a 48-hour strike Wednesday against additional layoffs planned this year under the terms of the country's EU-IMF bailout.

Some 3,000 civil servants demonstrated in Athens against the layoff plans, police said.

"We are people, not numbers," said banners held by the protesters.

Greece is required to fire 11,500 civil servants this year under its multi-billion-euro loan rescue.

Last year it took 3,500 staff off the state payroll and put another 20,000 on a mobility scheme to other agencies deemed to be short of employees.

However, the EU-IMF creditors are now reportedly calling for additional layoffs in 2015, according to Greek media.

Unemployment in Greece has soared since the beginning of the bailout, and currently stands at over 27 percent.

The country's main union GSEE, which represents the private sector, has called a general strike against the layoffs on April 9.

It is expected to be supported by the public sector ADEDY union.