The Greek government faces stiff opposition to some austerity measures announced this week, an opinion poll showed, but most expect them to be implemented and there was no sign the government's ratings have suffered yet.

Pressured by financial markets and the European Union, Greece announced on Wednesday 4.8 billion euros ($6.52 billion) in wage cuts, a pension freeze and tax increases to reduce its huge fiscal deficit.

The poll carried out by Public Issue for Skai TV and published on Friday showed around three-quarters of 530 people surveyed disapproved of higher taxes on fuel, VAT hikes, a freeze on public pensions and cuts in bonuses for civil servants.

On a more positive note for the government 50 percent said they backed bigger salary cuts for public service workers, 65 percent supported higher duty on alcohol and cigarettes and 82 percent approved of a levy on luxury goods.

The survey also showed that 78 percent believed there was a high probability that all of the government's measures would be implemented.

Ratings agencies and other European Union governments have said delivery will be key in determining whether Greece can re-establish its credibility on the world stage and as a borrower.

The results of the poll came as Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou prepared to travel to Germany on Friday for a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel in the hope of persuading her to back more concrete EU support measures for Greece.

Unlike other recent surveys, the poll did not specifically ask people whether they approved of the way the government was handling the debt crisis.

Opposition to government belt-tightening has so far been relatively muted for a country with a tradition of street protest.

Two opinion polls published in late February but before details of the latest austerity measures were unveiled this week showed the majority of Greeks thought the government was tackling the crisis effectively.

Those polled in the latest survey did not expect the government to get a smooth ride, however, with 62 percent predicting that social unrest in Greece was highly likely in the next 12 months .

The private sector GSEE union and its sister public sector union ADEDY, which represent half of Greece's 5-million workforce, called workers to stop work from midday (1000 GMT) on Friday and attend a rally outside parliament.

Separately, other walkouts brought public transport in Athens to a standstill.

Some 53 percent of respondents said it would be better for Greece if the European Union and the European Central Bank were to provide any financial support while 12 percent favored the IMF.

(Editing by Matthew Jones and Toby Chopra)

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