Employees at the local heating company Toplofikatsiya in Bulgaria's Varna have gone on strike, demanding a 40 per cent salary increase as of October 1, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) reported on November 12.

The 78 protesters demanded not only an increase in salary, but also for the value of their food-stamps to be increased from 3.90 to 7 leva, labour union KT Podkrepa announced.

Average gross salary at Toplofikatsiya was now 580 leva, but should be raised to 798 leva, according to those on strike.

Toplofikatsiya management offered an increase of 15 per cent, BNR reprted, quoting company losses as a limiting factor. Losses for 2007 were estimated to reach 700 000 leva by year end.

The strike committee rejected the offer, BNR said.