Madrid ( CNN ) -- More than 70 people were injured in clashes in Madrid on Wednesday as Spanish police used rubber bullets and batons to disperse anti-austerity protesters , witnesses and emergency workers said . Protesters , including a group of miners who have marched on the capital , are demonstrating against Spain 's government and the cuts it is imposing as it seeks to curb the country 's debt crisis . Hundreds of people quickly moved out of the area as police moved in , with witnesses reporting the use of rubber bullets and batons by officers . Madrid 's ambulance service said 76 people were injured in clashes at or near the Industry Ministry . Miners were among the 43 protesters who were injured , and 33 police also were hurt . Eight are receiving hospital treatment , but the injuries are not serious , the ambulance service said . A number of miners reached Madrid on Tuesday night after taking part in what has been dubbed the `` Black March , '' covering 450 kilometers ( 280 miles ) over the course of two-and-a-half weeks . They were joined by thousands of other miners and supporters in a large protest Tuesday night and another demonstration Wednesday outside the Industry Ministry . The miners are protesting a 64 % cut in the government subsidy to the mining sector this year , from 301 million euros to 111 million euros . Unions say this endangers the jobs of 8,000 miners and 22,000 auxiliary jobs that serve mining regions where 200,000 people live and depend on mines . The clashes came as Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announced an increase in the country 's general sales tax from 18 % to 21 % , as well as spending reductions that include cutting employment benefits after six months . Announcing the measures to lawmakers , Rajoy said they would slash the budget by 65 billion euros ( $ 80 billion ) over two-and-a-half years . The European Commission welcomed the move , saying it was an `` important step '' toward Spain meeting its deficit target for the year , Spain 's Efe news agency said . Spain 's economic crisis also has worsened since last year . The nation has slipped back into a recession ; the unemployment rate has risen to 24 % overall , and more than 50 % for those under age 25 ; and the government has already enacted billions of dollars in austerity cuts , along with some tax hikes , to reduce the budget deficit . CNN 's Claudia Rebaza contributed to this report .
NEW : 43 protesters and 33 police are injured in clashes , Madrid ambulance service says . The Spanish government has called a national strike to protest the violence against demonstrators on Friday night. Miners are protesting cuts to government subsidies for the mining sector . Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy announces a sales tax increase and more spending cuts .