Ecuador may face new strike by oil workers.

(From FT Investor (Stories))

Workers at Petroecuador, the state-owned oil company, are threatening fresh strike action to force President Lucio Gutierrez to reverse plans to liberalise Ecuador's energy sector.

The dispute, which began with a limited stoppage on Monday, threatens to tarnish a market-friendly image carefully nurtured by the leftwing Ecuadorean leader during the first five months of his administration.

Mr Gutierrez reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) within weeks of taking office in January. He has implemented tough austerity measures and is promising further measures to improve the business climate. …