A strike at a Kampot province cement factory that saw almost half of the workforce walk off the job ended on Wednesday as employees agreed to return to work after the New Year.

On Tuesday, almost 100 of the Chinese-owned Chakrey Ting Cement factory’s 200 employees went on strike, demanding higher wages, annual bonuses, health insurance and equal treatment for Cambodian and Chinese workers.

Following negotiations, the company conceded to most of the demands, according to workers’ representative Heng Chen. “The company agreed to add $10 [to the monthly wage] for nine long-term employees and purchased health insurance for all staff”, he said.

Chen added that the company vowed to address allegations that Chinese staff were given preferential treatment. Bonuses would be discussed in the future, company representatives said.