Costa Rican banana strikers have agreed to go back to work after winning union recognition at Del Monte's three plantations in Sixaola, website Elpais.cr reported.

Union leaders and Del Monte management thrashed out an agreement brokered by the government's deputy labor minister Eugenio Solano.

It was confirmed there would be no reprisals against the 600 strikers, predominantly indigenous Guaimíes from Panama, and they would still have jobs.

Public and Private Enterprise Workers Union (SITEP) leader Edgar Morales, said management agreed to collective bargaining for improvements in pay and over-time.

Employees had been asked to work up to 14-hour days including Sundays with no overtime pay.

Other benefits which the strikers won included a decent place to eat on the plantations and temporary loans of CRC80,000 (US$160).

The strike finished on its 22nd day at Del Monte's plantations in the southern province of Limón near the Panama border.

Photo: Elpais.cr

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