Work to restart in Colombian oil fields

Work began again at an oil industry production plant following recent clashes.

Colombian oil workers have been on strike and taking part in protests against their Canadian employers over working conditions, low pay and the company's use of contract labour from outside the region.

The protestors were also demanding the reinstatement of 800 workers fired since July for the part they played in protests.

Ministers from the government brokered a truce between the oil industry firm and the workers after protests forced the closure of two of the nation's most important oil fields, a move which could have significantly affected national oil output.

However, nearly 225,000 barrels a day have failed to be removed from the oil fields as a result of the clash.

"These protests will definitely affect the country's production figures for this month," said Alejandro Martinez, president of the Colombian Oil Association, the Wall Street Journal reported.