Iraqi oil workers call off 'hydrocarbon law' strike after promise of action

Iraqi oil workers called off their strike last week after the prime minister Nouri al-Maliki agreed to set up a committee to address their demands. The Iraq Federation of Oil Unions, which represents 26,000 workers, declared a "tactical victory" following the news.

Workers want a say over the proposed hydrocarbon law, which they fear will cede too much control of the country's oil and gas reserves to foreign companies. They were also threatening to hold further strikes over poor working conditions.

Several days of strikes took place earlier this month, which disrupted Iraq's 1.6 million barrels of daily oil production.

Talks over the hydrocarbons law continue. The main sticking point is what share of the oil revenues central and regional governments receive. The law could be ratified later this year by parliament.