DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - Nearly all 15,000 nurses in 500 government hospitals began

an indefinite strike on Jan. 21 over more salaries and benefits.

"We will end the strike only after the demands are met," said Kohinoor

Begum, president of Bangladesh diploma nurses association.

The nurses want their monthly salaries raised from U.S. $43 to U.S. $57.

The government has finalized a new wage plan but has not announced it as it tries

to mobilize money, said a senior official at the Health Ministry.