KUWAIT— Oil and gas workers in Kuwait have ended their three-day strike that had temporarily cut the OPEC members crude production by nearly half, announced the Oil and Gas Workers Trade Union.
The strike was ended hours after Kuwaits oil minister had ruled out negotiations with the employees, while one of the union leaders said the thousands of workers would hold out until planned public sector pay cuts were canceled.
Workers fear reduced salaries, benefits and staff layoffs will be part of a planned government overhaul of the payroll system in the public sector.
In an interview with Kuwaiti TV channel al-Rai, Kuwaits acting oil minister, Anas al-Saleh, said production would continue and that no talks would proceed during a strike.
Unions had not said how long the walkout would last. Non-Kuwaiti oil workers are not on strike, Reuters reported.
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