Brazil's state oil company Petrobras' workers started a strike on Monday demanding better working conditions and payment.

The workers wanted safer working environment, double payment for working on holidays and a guarantee of outsourcing workers' employment.

Additionally, the employees demanded a better profit-sharing plan. Petrobras' workers received a lower profit share last year than that in 2007.

According to the Unique Oil Workers' Federation (FUP), oil production has been stopped in several platforms all over the country, including the P-34 platform in the Jubarte field, off the country's southeastern coast, an area responsible for most of Brazil's oil production.

However, according to Petrobras, all units' operations are carrying on normally and not affected by strike. In a statement released on Monday afternoon, the company also stated that operations are being carried out by contingency teams, and the negotiation will be opened soon.

Source: Xinhua