Dacia workers end two week strike

Dacia workers staged a demonstration in Romania on Thursday

Workers at Renault's Dacia plant in Romania have returned to work after their 14-day stoppage resulted in them getting an average 23% pay rise.

Dacia employees had demanded rises of up to 65%. In reply, managers had initially offered 19%.

The company expects the plant, which makes Renault's cheaper Logan model, to be fully operational on Monday.

Renault, like other car makers, has expanded production in eastern Europe where labour costs are lower.

During the strike, Dacia workers protested that they were paid much less than their counterparts in France, where Renault is based.

Workers will receive a pay rise of around 435 lei ($190:�96) a month, on top of their average monthly wage of 1,900 lei ($828:�420).

Renault produces 1,300 cars a day at the factory in southern Romania, which sell mostly in Russia, India and Morocco.

The company has declined to confirm how much the two week strike has cost, but said it is less than the reported 50 million euros.

"We signed the agreement," Dacia's Liviu Ion said.

"Work at the plant resumed at 1 p.m. (1000 GMT). We hope to reach normal output levels on Monday."