Key facts
- The main union at Colombia's Ecopetrol launched a 24-hour strike.
- The strike began at 0500 local time (1000 GMT).
- The union seeks a pay rise equal to inflation plus 20% in the first year and inflation plus 10% for the following four years.
- Shorter working hours and broader health and education benefits are also sought.
- Ecopetrol has activated a contingency plan to maintain operations.
The primary union at Colombia's state-owned oil company, Ecopetrol, has initiated a 24-hour strike due to a stalemate in collective bargaining negotiations. The USO union, representing 25,000 workers, is demanding substantial pay increases, reduced working hours, and enhanced benefits, with an estimated cost of 90 trillion pesos ($25.28 billion). Ecopetrol has stated it is committed to dialogue and has implemented measures to ensure operational continuity and protect workers during the stoppage.