BAKU, November 29 (RIA Novosti, Gerai Dadashev) - Local employees of U.S.-based company J. Ray McDermott, which builds offshore oil platforms, called off their strike Tuesday in the Azerbaijani capital, a spokesman for the strikers said.
He said the decision had been reached after negotiations with trade unions, company officials, and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), and that the demand by workers for a salary increase had been met.
The compromise stipulates a 20% increase in workers' salaries in 2005 and at least a 12% raise in pay early next year.
A strike, allegedly involving 2,000 local employees, was held November 22, with workers demanding an immediate salary increase, along with medical insurance. They also protested against discrimination since the company had raised the salaries of foreign employees, while those of local workers remained the same.
