Summary Economy Minister Luis Arce praised the deal, saying that "there are neither winners nor losers."
LA PAZ (AFP) - Workers in Bolivia have ended a two week long strike after reaching an agreement with the government over improved retirement benefits, labor leaders said Wednesday.
Juan Carlos Trujillo, head of the Bolivian Workers Central (COB) told reporters the agreement to go back to work was reached at about daybreak on Wednesday, after days of hardfought negotiations.
In reaching a deal that allows workers to end their strike "I think that we are putting a priority on rationality, which is the right thing to do, and which we are doing," Arce said.
The deal was reached during a 48 hour cooling off period Monday and Tuesday during which the workers broke off from protesting and barricading streets.
The demonstrations turned violent at times, leading to clashes between striking workers and police, resulting in the arrests of more than 300 people who have since been released.
The general strike also proved to be costly for the nation, especially Bolivia s mining industry.
The strike forced the temporary closure of the Huanuni mine in the Andes mountains which employs 4,500 miners, and is Bolivia s chief producer of tin.
Officials in South America s poorest country said the mine lost a half-million dollars for each day it was closed.
